[Avodah] Lashon Hora About Me

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

 From Areivim:

: R'n TK:
:> A person is also not allowed to talk loshon hara about himself.

MYG:
: As best as I can tell, this is incorrect.

R'MB:
Someone near the CC on a train ride home struck up a conversation and
found out that this older gentleman was was from Radun. He was traveling
to see the great CC, and was excited that he found someone who must know
all about him, and perhaps could share some stories. So, the man asked
him all about the tzadiq in his town (not knowing he was talking to the
CC himself). When the CC said something like, "You must be mistaken,
he isn't much of a talmid chakham or a scholar", the man was enraged and
slapped him. Well, they get to Radun, the guy goes to see the famous CC
and was obviously mortified to learn who he slapped! He cried and begged
mechilah. But the CC said there is no reason for it, the slap was worth
it in order to learn the din that you aren't allowed to speak LH even
about yourself.
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The well-known story notwithstanding (and I'd love to see a reliable source
for it), I don't think there's a halachic basis for it. Any comments?

KT,
MYG