Parshas Mishpatim

(13) Thou in Thy love hast led the people that Thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.

(17) Thou bringest them in, and plantest them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, The place, O LORD, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.

(1) Thou shalt not utter a false report; put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

First we must know the principles of these halachoth of lashon hara and rechilus. ("Lashon hara" is speaking disparagingly against one's friend, and "rechilus," is telling someone about s/t bad that someone else did to or said about him.) Both are forbidden even if true, as will be explained below, please Gd, in the name of all the poskim... Also, there is no difference between speaking and listening to L"H.... A "receiver" of lashon hara is one who believes in his heart what is told him by his friend even if he does not join or aid him in the telling but only believes in his heart the L"H he has heard. If he does believe it, he is called "the bearer of a false report" and transgresses (Shemoth 23:1): "Do not bear a false report."

Do not hurt or insult an orphan or widow; if you do, and their cries cry out to Me, I will hear his cries [and punish you].

(2) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to pervert justice;