Q&A: Slander
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Slander
Question
In several distressing affairs of recent years, “slander” has been used as a reason not to discuss matters publicly.
That was the case regarding Rabbi Elon, regarding Haim Walder, and for example Rabbi Gantz makes this claim regarding the Rabbi Tau affair.
What is the Rabbi’s opinion on this?
Answer
I haven’t heard about these cases and don’t know the details. The question is too general.
Discussion on Answer
Correct. This is slander for a constructive purpose, since the victim knows the truth directly and clearly. There is a kind of pursuer here.
So let’s be more specific. Rabbi Haim Gantz argued that if someone was harmed by another person, they can go to a religious court, but not publicize it to the public because there is no benefit in that.
Factually, he seems mistaken to me. There is benefit in publicizing it publicly—to warn the public against being harmed.
If Dorit was indeed harmed by Rabbi Tau and had publicized it in the past, it’s possible that others would not have been harmed.
It seems that the use of “slander” in this case is dangerous.