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The Torah's Most Surprising Contradiction - Rabbi Shlomo Horwitz

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Summary

Rabbi Shlomo Horwitz explains a “surprising contradiction” in the Torah’s treatment of negative subjects. While Jews are forbidden to speak lashon hara (slander/negative speech about others), the Torah records serious failings of particular people—such as Esau, Korach, Dathan, and Abiram.

He resolves this using a Rambam from Shmona Prakim (introduction to Pirkei Avot): the Torah includes only what is necessary to live properly—nothing is “gratuitous.” This necessity connects to rabbinic rules of lashon hara: negative speech is permitted when it serves a constructive purpose (to’eles), such as preventing harm.

Applications Given in the Video

  • Tower of Babel (Dor Haflagah / Haflagah): Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson (the Shaul U’Mayshiv) argues that the Torah does not clearly spell out their sin because, after God confused languages, the specific threat of a united global rebellion was reduced. Therefore, the detailed information was no longer needed for practical instruction.

  • Sodom and Gomorrah: God tells Abraham about Sodom’s fate as a form of lashon hara—but for a constructive purpose. The goal is for Abraham to teach his children and descendants to reject Sodom’s behavior and learn from it.

  • Parshas Eikev—Why Some Figures Are Mentioned More Than Others: The Shalom Achshav framework is used to address why Moshe mentions Dathan and Abiram, but Korach is not treated similarly.

    • Korach’s wrongdoing is already addressed earlier in Scripture (a verse indicates that someone like Korach should not occur again among the Jews—someone attempting priesthood without legitimacy). So repeating Korach’s negative example would be unnecessary.
    • By contrast, Dathan and Abiram’s rebellion against authority was still a continuing threat that Moshe needed to confront in his final addresses.

Core Takeaway

Negativity in the Torah is justified only when it is pedagogical and protective—to teach, prevent harm, or guide future generations. Beyond that point, repeating negative material becomes lashon hara rather than a necessary lesson.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Rabbi Shlomo Horwitz
  • Rambam (Maimonides)
  • Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson (Shaul U’Mayshiv)
  • Rabbi Menachem Mendel? (referenced indirectly via Shalom Achshav)
  • Shulchan Arukh
  • Abraham (Avraham Avinu)
  • Moshe Rabbeinu
  • Ramban (referenced via commentary)
  • God (Hashem)

Original video