I am the subject of libel. Someone sent out an e mail to numerous (I know some but don’t know the whole list) people falsely accusing me of committing fraud. This has the potential to harm my business relations in addition to being personally hurtful . I know that I can claim monetary damages in secular court. Will bais din levy a monetary penalty against the other person or just tell them to cease and desist? What can I do?
Answer:
Beis Din is unlikely to levy a monetary penalty for this instance, and this is certainly true if no actual monetary damage is proven.
However, it is certainly possible that Beis Din will force the other party to desist, and even to undo the damage, if possible.
[Under particular circumstances, Beis Din will permit the victim to go to court, but permission to do so must be given by Beis Din.]
