The Baal Shem Tov used to instruct his disciples in a regular Gemara study session. He conducted the studies with great acuity and brilliance, and included a study of Rambam, Alfasi, Rosh and other commentaries of the Rishonim (early commentators) germane to the Gemara-text under examination. The Baal Shem Tov would translate the words (of the text) into Yiddish. When studying the passage "the third tongue (i.e., the person relating a previously heard bit of slander) kills three persons" (Erachin 15b), the Baal Shem Tov translated and explained: "Lashon hara (lit., the evil tongue - slander) kills all three, the inventor of the slander, the one who relates it, and the listener. All this takes place on the spiritual plane, but it is more severe than physical murder."

HaYom Yom, entry for 13 Cheshvan