Q&A: Did Isaac speak slander?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Did Isaac speak slander?
Question
Did Isaac, when he told Esau that his brother came deceitfully and took his blessing, not do something that in our times would be defined as the prohibition of slander?
Answer
Why is that slander? Isaac told Esau that Jacob stole from him. Is it really forbidden to tell someone that someone else stole from him or harmed him?
Indeed, when there is no constructive purpose [the blessings had already been given], it is forbidden to tell it, especially when the damage liable to result may be greater than what he deserves according to Jewish law.