113. Disgracing Torah Scholars

Talmud Torah 6:12

Even though one who disgraces a Torah scholar has no share in the Next World, if witnesses testify he disgraced the scholar, even just verbally, he must be placed under a ban of excommunication, which is announced by the court. The offender is also fined, and the fine is given to the offended party. One is excommunicated even for disgracing a scholar who has already died. This ban is lifted when the offender repents. If the scholar is alive, the ban is not lifted until the offender appeases him.

A scholar may likewise excommunicate a lay person who treats him disgracefully. This action does not require a warning or witnesses. Such a ban is not lifted until the offender appeases the scholar; if the scholar dies, a beis din of three can lift it. If the scholar prefers to forgive the offender rather than excommunicate him, that is his prerogative.

Talmud Torah 6:13

If a teacher placed someone under a ban of excommunication for disgracing his honor, his students are required to ostracize the offender. However, if a student placed someone under a ban of excommunication for disgracing his honor, the teacher is not obligated to ostracize the offender. Everyone else, however, must observe the ban. Similarly, when someone is excommunicated for the sake of the nasi (i.e., the head of the Sanhedrin), everyone is required to observe the ban. However, if someone is excommunicated for any other Jew’s sake, the nasi is not required to observe the ban. When someone is excommunicated for an offense against his own city, other cities must observe the ban. If he was excommunicated by other cities, his own city need not observe the ban.