So what happens if we inadvertently hear Loshon Hara? The Talmud says that we should not automatically accept it as being true. Rather, the rule is innocent until proven guilty. There is a famous story about the great Talmudic sage the Rashash (Rabbi Shmuel Shtrashun, 19th century Vilna) who had a fund to lend money to poor people. One day while the rabbi was studying Talmud, the local tailor came in to repay his loan of 10,000 rubles. The rabbi was so engrossed in his learning, that he stuck the money in the book and forgot about it. A week later, the rabbi was reviewing his loan ledger and noticed that the 10,000 ruble loan was never paid. So he called the tailor and asked him to pay it. But I paid you back last week, said the tailor. Okay, then where’s your receipt? said the rabbi, who truly had no recollection of being paid back. You were studying and I didn’t want to disturb you, replied the tailor. Soon enough word got out that the tailor and the rabbi were involved in a financial dispute. The nerve of this man to pit his word against the rabbi! they all said. The tailor’s reputation was ruined, and he was shunned by the community. About a year later, the rabbi was reviewing a section of Talmud and came across an envelope containing 10,000 rubles. Then he realized what had happened! He immediately called the tailor and apologized. But your apology doesn’t help me, he said sadly. My reputation is ruined forever! Don’t worry, said the rabbi. I’ll make a public announcement in the synagogue, letting everyone know that it was I who had made the mistake. But that won’t help, said the tailor. They’ll think you’re just saying it because you feel sorry for me. The rabbi thought long and hard until he came up with a solution. You have a daughter and I have a son, he said. Let’s arrange for them to be married. In that way, everyone will be assured that you are fully trustworthy, for otherwise I would never agree to this match. And with that, the harm was repaired. But it’s not always so easy...
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:47:50 +0000
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