𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Have you ever scrolled through a Facebook thread only to find yourself sinking into frustration over harsh words, unnecessary arguments, or outright negativity? Words have power—more than we often realize. In the Torah, G-d calls us to guard our tongues. But in the digital age, guarding our words extends to what we type as well.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦: 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

Lashon Hara, or "evil speech," refers to any harmful or derogatory communication—even when it’s true. The Torah warns us repeatedly about the dangers of careless words. In Leviticus 19:16, we are commanded, "Do not go about as a talebearer among your people." Yet today, toxic comments on social media embody Lashon Hara in ways that damage not just individuals but entire communities.

What starts as a critique of a teaching can spiral into personal attacks. A disagreement can quickly turn into trolling or false accusations. Toxic comments—like "This is garbage; you don’t know what you’re talking about"—spread negativity and tear down trust. Even if such comments feel justified, they violate the Torah’s command to love our neighbors (Leviticus 19:18).

Professional studies confirm the psychological toll of online negativity. A report in the 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝𝑠 highlights how toxic interactions online can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. As Torah Pursuant believers, allowing such behavior in our spaces not only disrupts shalom but also damages the witness of our values.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

The Torah offers a clear antidote: intentionality with words. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, "The tongue has the power of life and death." This is a call to accountability. Online, we must set boundaries that reflect Torah principles.

As a community, we must:

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: Recognize when words cross the line into Lashon Hara.

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲: Respond to constructive criticism with humility and truth, but do not feed into trolling or hostility.

𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Create clear community guidelines and moderate comments that violate them.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

Implementing these steps starts with practical actions:

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: Make community expectations clear. For example, post "We welcome constructive discussions, but personal attacks or harmful speech will be removed" at the beginning of your posts.

𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭: If someone critiques a teaching, respond kindly and factually. Example: "Thank you for your perspective. Let me clarify…."

𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲: Remove comments that cross into hate, trolling, or misinformation. A simple, private message can explain why their comment was deleted if appropriate.

𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: Actively invite feedback from supporters to create a culture of encouragement.

By addressing toxic comments in a Torah-based manner, you’ll create a space that reflects G-d’s values: love, truth, and respect. Healthy boundaries online foster shalom (peace), making it easier for you to grow and thrive. Visitors will see not just your ideas but your integrity.

Take a moment today to review your social media practices. Are you setting the tone for constructive, respectful engagement? Post your new guidelines, start moderating with wisdom, and lead by example. Imagine if everyone in the Torah Pursuant world, Jews, Gentiles, and the Ger Toshav, all said with resounding clarity, “No more Lashon HaRa!” Let’s build a digital space that reflects the heart of Torah—one where words bring life, not harm.

Shalom starts with us. Will you take the first step?

B"H