L'chaim L'chaim

The halachot of rechilut are mostly a refresher,

Don't gossip, even under pressure.

As a last resort,

To create peace, the truth you can distort.

You can report a criminal plot,

In order to return items that are hot.

What you say about someone might have stung,

Because life and death lie in the tongue!

When someone speaks lashon hara, it's a terrible blunder,

Do all you can to steal the speaker's thunder.

In an effort to make the world more pleasant,

Speak to'eles with at least three people present!

If you see someone steal,

Their identity can be revealed.

But address him in private before publicizing his name,

And do all you can to minimize his shame!

In front of someone's enemies, don't sing their praise,

Make sure to second guess what your message conveys.

It is best to learn about lashon hora as a child,

So that when they grow up, your mouth won't run wild!

Don't speak lashon hara against an adult or kids,

Lashon hara, even to your family, the Torah forbids.

Don't speak lashon hara, especially to a goy,

But positive words can bring us great joy!

Don't believe lashon hara, even said in passing,

And don't believe it either if the speaker was harassing.

If lashon hara is supported by independent facts,

You can stay away from the sinner until what he stole is given back!

Silence is not an admission of guilt,

Don't let lashon hara destroy the good reputation they've built.

You should believe the victim over the speaker,

A single witness is weak, but a rumor is weaker.

If you hear lashon hara, it is best to get up and leave,

If it is forbidden to say, it is also forbidden to believe.

If lashon hara is relevant, suspecting it is smart,

But that is not a license to harbor hatred in your heart!

If you hear lashon hara, It is a sin to believe it's true,

But you can suspect it if the lashon hara is relevant to you.

If you are around lashon hara, it is best to leave that place,

Or show you don't believe it by making a face.