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Above (Day 8), we saw that one may not mention that someone is a baal teshuvah if either the speaker or listener considers this derogatory (which, in fact, it is not). Based on the prohibition against relating negative information or information that could cause harm or hurt, it is permissible to relate that a person is a baal teshuvah only if, in addition to the speaker and listener not considering this to be derogatory, the baal teshuvah himself is open about his past and if this fact were mentioned in his presence he would not feel hurt; or (in a case where the baal teshuvah is sensitive about his past) the listener is known to be discreet and the information will never be passed on to others.
The following segment is a translation from the Chofetz Chaim's writings on the philosophy of proper speech from the Sefer Shmiras Halashon. The Shechinah Departs The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 5:10) states:
R' Mona said: Whoever speaks loshon hora causes the Shechinah to Regarding the gossiper does Hashem say: "He and I cannot dwell together in this world" (Arachin 15b). Furthermore, the second Destruction occurred because of the gossipers who caused sinas chinam (baseless hatred) to reign among the people (Yoma 9b). One who causes strife among friends is despicable in the eyes of Hashem, and his sin is too great to bear. King Solomon said: "Six things are hated by HASHEM, and the seventh is despised by Him. Haughty eyes, a tongue of falsehood, hands which shed innocent blood... and one who incites quarrels among brothers" (Mishlei 6:1619). Our Sages state that the seventh sin is the worst of all.
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