The three parshot that includes this one all talk of the crime of lashon hara – evil tongue. We all have been living in times of gossip and slander. For our sages this was equal to murder, and we have seen how so many young and old have been destroyed by words. One of the great Jewish sages, the Chofetz Chaim, who was a Kagan, continuously spoke about the danger of bad talk – it effects three – the one who is attacked, the one who hears, and the one who speaks it. May we be aware of the effect of what we say and speak from truth and care.