Q&A: Did I Speak Gossip, and How Can It Be Repaired?
Did I Speak Gossip, and How Can It Be Repaired?
Question
With God's help,
Hello Rabbi,
I wanted to ask a pretty strange but real question.
Near the synagogue where I pray there is an apartment for people under care who are somewhat independent.
And one of these people asked the rabbi how one can overcome the evil inclination, and that nothing helps, and I overheard it from the side.
Afterward I explained to the rabbi that in the residents' apartment there is a television on in the living room, around 70 inches (?) with pornography channels. My strong impression is that the staff members turn it on so they'll lie quietly (it's almost impossible to talk to them and get them away from the screen).
The point is that the rabbi now wants to speak with those in charge so that the staff will stop putting this on for them. The point is that that same person whom I saw watching it was really enjoying it. And I'm not sure, but maybe he is defined as mentally incompetent and lacking understanding. And if so, he is exempt from this, and they would be taking away his enjoyment.
What does the Rabbi think about this? At first I thought to stay quiet, but I just felt bad for the man who "cried" to the rabbi about the evil inclination and how nothing helps.
Answer
We don't have enough information. It is definitely worthwhile to speak with the rabbi and think it over with him. Even if he decides to speak with the staff, it's not certain that it will help. In the end, the decision is theirs. If it passes through all these stages and they decide to stop, then maybe that really is the right decision.