Higher Authority

by Hal Paperman

I hope that, as a Jewish journalist, you are proud of the article your newspaper published about Rabbi Dovid Cohen (“Ohel’s Halachic Adviser: OK To Cheat On Taxes?” June 12).

Whatever fleeting glory you receive in this world for publishing such an article, you will nonetheless answer to a higher authority in the next world. That authority will look at the hatred you caused the Jewish people by publishing such an article. You have published lashon hora (gossip) about a great Torah scholar. Lashon hora applies even if the article is true. There is no journalist exception to the rules of lashon hora. That Rabbi Cohen is a great Torah scholar compounds your offense. Journalism does not trump Judaism.

Westchester Jewish Conference

Westchester’s Jewish Community Relations Organization