Arachin 16: When is Speech La'shon Ha'Ra?

Continuing with their discussion of lashon ha'ra, malicious speech or slander, the rabbis explore some of the complexities of these laws.

Rabba ben Rav Huna says that anything said in the presence of three people does not have the status of malicious speech.  This is because each friend has a friend, and each of those will tell someone else.

Rashi teaches that lashon ha'ra is worst when done secretly and anonymously.  When it is clear that the identity of the person slandered will be shared widely, it would not be lashon ha'ra.  Tosafot argue that it is not allowed to speak ill of another regardless of how many people are present.  

Rabba's statement should be taken to mean that an ambiguous statement made with three people present should be understood as a positive statement rather than a negative one.  Rabbeinu Yona says that this refers to a case when one is allowed to speak.  An example is when evil was done to him and he is bringing up a public objection.

Rav Dimi teaches another law when he returns from Ha'aretz.  The Gemara says: "What is the meaning of the verse "He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as a curse to him" (Mishle 27:14).  "It refers for example to the case of one who is invited to a host and they look after him very well, and the next day he goes out into the marketplace and says, 'May the Merciful One bless So-and-so, who laboured so much on my behalf'.  After this, people will hear it and come and plunder him."

Rashi clarifies: we are concerned that the host will be "plundered" by other guests who will want to gain from his generosity.  Rabbeinu Gershom says that once it becomes public knowledge that he is wealthy, the government or others might try to rob him.