Rachel Derman

2/13/03
Period 8
Essay

Lashon Harah

Jewish Values are a huge part of Solomon Schechter Day School. They

are constantly being enforced on the students and referred to in class.

According to Jewish laws, Lashon harah is a huge sin. Students at Solomon

Schechter are noticing that teachers are committing this act. Teachers as

well as students should abide by the school’s rules on lashon harah.

A huge part of the problem with Lashon harah is the effect that the

teacher’s words have on the students. Firstly, students can hear what the

teachers say and their feelings can be hurt very badly. If this is happening

students may not feel safe in the school environment where they spend much

of their time. Also, once students are experiencing difficulty in their

relationships with a teacher, it can have a negative impact on the their

academic abilities. Not only this, but the school authorities may also lose a

sense of respect that they once had from the students.

 Additionally, the school’s Lashon harah rules are not enforced equally.

There have been situations in which students were punished for speaking

badly about other children. Frequently, students have encountered acts of

Lashon harah coming from a teacher, but there was no action taken. Yes, it is

true that teachers need to have a certain amount power over the students,

but it cannot be forgotten that students have rights also.

Society today has many role models. Teachers are special role models

that kids can talk to and interact with personally. By their bad example,

teachers can have a harmful influence on what students think is acceptable.

The more lenient our communities are when enforcing Jewish morals and

laws on the role models, the worse the treatment to others will be when the

children being taught these morals grow older.

According to the Bible, one of the biggest sins is lashon harah. In

Jewish history people believed that when someone speaks badly of another

person they would contract a disease. After getting the disease, the people

were shunned upon and sent to special camps. At a Jewish school, these laws

should be stressed. Plenty of people believe that it is acceptable to speak

badly of another, as long as they don’t find out. This is untrue. A person who

speaks badly of another is still committing a sin. Students take extreme

offense to what is said about them. Not only are teachers talking about

students in their own private places such as the teachers lounge, but also

students have been spoken to directly, this is a form of Lashon harah.

There have been countless situations in which teachers made students

uncomfortable by speaking badly of another person. This all needs to be

changed. Negative behavior like this cannot be acceptable in a school

environment no matter how much authority a person has.