What if he won't go to beis din at all, but takes the law into his own hands?

Rabbi Klapper turns to the case where the one cheated may take matters into his own hands rather than going to beis din. Here the Chofetz Chaim adds three more safeguards on top of the earlier five rules of to'eles: you must have firsthand knowledge, not hearsay; there must be two people who would qualify as valid witnesses in beis din; and you must consider whether he'll grab back more than he's owed. Even if all eight rules are met, if he'll bypass beis din and settle it himself, you must not tell him. Better to bring the information to a Rav to find a proper way to recover the loss.

Careful is the word of the day — return tomorrow for more.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

What if the person you warned marches back to the store and says you're the one who told him?

Rabbi Klapper presents the last of these rules of to'eles: what happens when the person you told he was overcharged goes back to the store and announces that ploni said you cheated me. That itself would be rechilus about you. If he'd say only I heard I was overcharged, without naming his source, that's fine. But if he'll name you to the store owner, the Chofetz Chaim is unsure whether you may tell him in the first place — especially if you know he's the type who needs backup to prove he's right. Best, Rabbi Klapper says, to ask a Rav before speaking.

Not sure how it applies? Ask your Rav — and listen again tomorrow.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

Before you tell your friend he was cheated, is there a way to fix it without speaking rechilus at all?

Rabbi Klapper adds another rule of to'eles: whenever possible, go directly to the one who cheated rather than to the victim. Maybe the store owner doesn't even realize what he did or its halachic ramifications, and would return the money on his own — sparing you from speaking rechilus. More broadly, if there is any other way to reach the same goal without lashon hara, you must take it. The Chofetz Chaim brings the source from a Gemara in Sanhedrin: when Yehoshua asked Hashem who took from the cheirem of Yericho, Hashem essentially answered, am I a talebearer? Figure it out yourself — so Yehoshua used a goral instead.

Think out of the box before you speak — and join us again tomorrow.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

You know for certain your friend was overcharged and could get his money back — so should you tell him?

Rabbi Klapper continues the case where it's clear a person was cheated in a way that halacha lets him recover his money, and reviews the rules of to'eles for saying so. Don't exaggerate beyond the truth; have pure intentions to help the one cheated, not to harm the cheater; and know what he'll actually do with the information. If he'll go to beis din, tell him — but if he'll only stew in anger or act against halacha, or won't act at all, stay silent. In fact, the Chofetz Chaim says, tell him it was a good purchase and let him feel good, and this is not the falsehood the Torah warns against.

Come back tomorrow as we keep unpacking the rules of to'eles.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

Mesirah Demands Highest Proof
Allowing mesirah requires a far higher bar than ordinary Rechilus. Only clear firsthand knowledge, real toeles, no revenge, and prior rabbinic guidance can permit action.
Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don’t forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

Revenge Is Not Justice
Being harmed by a moser does not create a mitzvah to inform on him in return. Retaliation can become a far greater aveira than the original wrong.
Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don’t forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

Clear Signs, Limited Action
Even with dvarim hanikarim, the signs must be clear, firsthand, and useful. You may not spread the matter further or punish the person based on suspicion.
Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don’t forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

When Signs Seem Clear
Dvarim hanikarim matter only when what you saw clearly matches the claim and no tzad zechus remains. If another explanation exists, you may not accept it.
Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don’t forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!