In the previous section we dealt with King David’s advice not to speak slander, here are a few more words on the subject.

In the course of the prayers we express regret before the Holy One Blessed be He for the various sins we have committed. The Machzor presents a series of sins of different kinds: vain hatred, empty oathtaking, bribery, insolence etc. After we review all the sins we ask forgiveness for them all.
Among others, we mention the sin of øëéìåú rechilut, gossip. Where does this word come from and what is special about it? First of all. let us examine the meaning of the word. We speak about a certain person and say things which we should not say. We know for sure that what we say about him in a certain forum, will be repeated elsewhere. That is the nature of gossip.
The word rechilut reminds us of another word - øåëì rochel, hawker, peddler. The rochel is a person who goes from place to place, buys merchandise and transmits it onwards. So it is with rechilut, we hear it in a certain place and transmit it onwards like that same peddler..
We should note that the things which the peddler sells, are called ãáøé îøëåìú divrei marcolet, merchandise.