Hilchos Lashon Hara, Opening – positive commands (1)

Whoever speaks lashon hara about another person breaks the positive commandment (Devarim 24:9), "Remember what Hashem your G-d did to Miriam in the way, etc." This warns us to remember what happened to Miriam.

Think about it: she only spoke about her own brother, whom she loved like herself, and whom she had put herself in danger to save from the water. All she did was compare him to other prophets - she did not really say anything bad about him. And she did not speak in public, only in front of Moshe Rabbeinu. Even so, she was punished with tzara'as. How much more will people who speak badly about others be punished!