Question:
B”H
Kavod haRav,
If someone may have listened to lashon hara about a Rabbi, but did not believe it and tried to act enthusiastic about the Rabbi (and Torah learning in general), is there teshuva needed besides teshuva to HaShem for listening to the lashon hara? (I have never spoken with this Rabbi, and I want to make sure I do not have to email him and apologize for listening to lashon hara about him?) If this could be answered privately, I would appreciate it. Thank you
Answer:
It is best if you could just walk away when someone starts talking that way. However if you couldn’t, you did the correct thing by not believing the lashon hora that was said. You did not transgress the sin of accepting lashon hora because you didn’t believe it.
Best wishes
Sources:
Chofetz Chaim Hilchos Lashon Hora 6-5.
