More Discussions for this daf
1. Two Yetzarim 2. explanation 3. hanifneh biyehuda
4. Anatomy in the Midrash 5. REBBI AKIVA EVEN IF HE TAKES YOUR LIFE 6. The Kidneys Counsel???
7. The fox and the fish 8. Manoach 9. לעולם יהיו דבריו מועטין
DAF DISCUSSIONS - BERACHOS 61

ARI STERN asks:

Kvod HaRav,

Why did the Navi find it necessary to reveal thru Chazal that Manoach was an Am Haretz.

Lchorah its not part of the entire narrative, why do we need to disparage him for eternity?

Yasher Koach

Ari

The Kollel replies:

If you're asking that it appears to be Lashon Hara if there is no need for it, Chazal will answer that they derived important lessons from this, since it will help explain how Manoach behaved towards his wife and his son Shimshon and teaches us how to behave properly.

Technically speaking there is also no prohibition on speaking Lashon Hara regarding a dead person except for a special Cherem (excommunication) mentioned in the Midrash Tanchuma (Va'etchanan 6) and this is only regarding Motzi Shem Ra meaning speaking lies about the dead person but not if one speaks the truth. Even though true Lashon Hara is also wrong, if one is not stating a new fact about the dead but mentioning what was already known about his actions, it would be permitted (Nimukei Orach Chaim 606:1 (Munkatch) , Chut Hashani Yom Hakippurim p.106.) In this case presumably what Chazal said was known beforehand about Manoach so it does not constitute Lashon Hara.

Yoel Domb

Ari Stern adds:

Thank you,

I was coming from a point, of "Vos felt unz ois dos tzu vissen"?