Q&A: Shuli Rand – Defamation
Shuli Rand – Defamation
Question
Hello Rabbi!
Recently, an investigative report was published about the married life of the singer Shuli Rand and the alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of his wife.
The piece was broadcast after years of his silence in the face of severe slander against him, and it came as his response to those accusations.
I wanted to ask whether, in your opinion, a person who is being defamed is permitted to defend himself and tell the truth even if, for that purpose, he must speak defamation about those who are slandering him. And if you think it is permitted, then as someone on the sidelines, is it proper for me to allow him to speak before me and tell me the truth in order to let him defend himself? Or since, after all, I am not part of the matter, is this considered defamation for me, such that I should avoid hearing the truth?
Of course, Shuli’s story is only an example; many times it happens that a person is defamed and is forced to tell at least his relatives the ugly truth…
Thank you very much!
Answer
If this is required in order to defend himself, then yes. After all, under the law of a pursuer, he is even permitted to physically harm the pursuer.
Discussion on Answer
If it is necessary to save him, then obviously yes.
Hello Rabbi!
Thank you very much for the answer!
I would be glad if you could address the second point: am I, as someone on the sidelines, permitted to listen to him? Perhaps I am even morally obligated to listen to him in order to allow him to defend himself?