Reader’s Question. Is leaving a negative google or other online review on a Yid’s business permitted? What If it’s le’toeles?
Answer:
Lashon Hara applies to a product/business of a Jew, just as it applies to the Jew himself, so as a general rule it would be prohibited to publicly leave a review that disparages the person, his business or his products or services.
If a particular person is a known offender with malicious intent it may be different, as he may not be deemed a “fellow Jew” ,but this determination must be made by a competent Rav who knows all the relevant facts. A Rav would have to be consulted in each case to determine the course of action sanctioned by the Torah. We can’t arbitrarily decide to publicly post negative info about someone, or something that can cause damage to a person or their livelihood, reputation etc.
The fact that what a person does online is wrong is not a blanket permit to publicly post negative info about him. This is a very slippery slope.
Even if all the criteria of “To’eles” are employed it can still be an issue, as here the comment remains in public and reaches many people for whom it may not be a To’eles, and also the person may do teshuva, and the comment will still be there, have been forwarded etc.
Bottom line: In most cases, leaving a negative review (or sharing a negative review that was already there, with others) about a Jew or his business is 100% prohibited. Even in cases where it may be less than 100% prohibited, it is still not within the spirit of the Torah.
In addition, when a Jew reads a negative review about a fellow Jew or his business, he may not believe it or take it at face value. It is subject to all the halachos of Lashon Hara as they apply to hearing and accepting Lashon Hara.
May Hashem give us all the strength to avoid all types of Lashon Hara at all costs!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I
think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of
it!
This is fantastic. Thank you for posting. Most people who leave negative reviews are in a state of being angry, upset, hurt, bitter etc., and in that state it is all but impossible to say/post something objectively, and thus it will be all but impossible to stick to the guidelines of permissible Lashon Hara anyway. So, bottom line, Frum Jews should never leave a negative review on a public forum. Thanks again for sharing this clear and important answer.