This week’s double Torah reading of the portions of Tazria and Metzora focuses on the mysterious ailment known as "the affliction of tzarat," which the Torah sages understand to be a consequence of the widespread sin of "lashon hara," evil speech in its various forms.
In this week’s Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman focus on the Torah’s outlook on gossip, talebearing, and other forms of speech which are forbidden – even if true – because they can cause damage to another person.
This is a beautiful example of the high standards of sensitivity that Torah seeks to instill in a caring, sensitive society. This is in diametric opposition to the widespread insensitivity, public shaming and cancel culture that takes place daily on social media platforms.