Lashon hara: paying the price in the next world

Let us first mention exactly what the Chovos HaLevovos says (paraphrased from Sha'ar HaKeniah, Chapter 7):

"When a person who speaks lashon hara gets to Shamayim, he will find that he is accredited with many sins that he does not have any recollection of committing. When he asks about them, he will be told that they were taken from the individuals that he spoke lashon hara about, and added to his record. Further, he will have merits taken away from him."

He cites a story of a chassid whom someone spoke lashon hara about. When the chassid found out, he sent the speaker an expensive gift with the following note: "You were kind enough to give me your mitzvos. I am sending you my appreciation."

(Rabbi Boruch Leff, Jewishpress.com., 7 Nissan 5779)

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