17. If someone committed a wrongdoing to Reuven and he asks Shimon who the culprit is, he is forbidden to disclose it, even if he saw firsthand what happened, he can only say that he wasn’t the one who did it. If by Shimon clearing his name, Reuven will understand who the culprit is, according to the strict letter of the law it is permitted, however it is praiseworthy to keep quiet and not say anything. [In a situation where no wrong was committed, but Reuven thinks of it as a wrongdoing and he is convinced that Shimon is the culprit, according to the law, it might be forbidden for Shimon to clear his name, if by doing so Reuven will understand who the real culprit is].
The first section of sefer Chafetz Chaim – the laws of lashon hara – has been completed.
