Moshe Rabbeinu just COULDN'T figure it out. Why should the Jews suffer more than all the other nations? When all is said and done we are a fine group of people. Moshe was the greatest prophet in world history and the greatest Rabbi as well [how many people are considered the Rav of every Jew from the Exodus and on]. He had a brilliant mind and a tremendous Rebbe of his own - Hashem Himself. But despite his considerable talents he couldn't solve the mystery. Indeed they were submerged deeply in the impurity of Egypt but that wouldn't be enough to justify such prolonged suffering. Then ONE PERSON slandered him. AHA!!! he exclaimed. If evil gossip exists amongst this people that explains EVERYTHING. It makes perfect sense that an entire nation should be enslaved and tortured because of this egregious, deplorable sin which was committed by one lone individual. Every Jew is responsible to see that nobody else is committing this reprehensible act. Since somebody did speak - and he had an audience - the entire nation must suffer. To paraphrase a line that was popular in my youth: "Lashon hara lamed heh stay in galus the easy way". Fast forward. One of the signs given to Moshe in order to prove that he was sent by Hashem is being afflicted tzara'as. Why, that is HORRIBLE! What did he do to deserve THAT? HE SPOKE LASHON HARA! Yes, indeed. Hashem was saying "My sweet Moishe'le, Transcendent Being, Holy Prophet, Half Man Half Angel, equal in greatness to the entire Jewish Nation combined - YOU SPOKE LASHON HARA. You said that if you come to the Jews with a message from me they will not believe you. That, according to my dear chossid Rav Yisrael Meir Hakohen in his seminal work "Chofetz Chaim", is Lashon Hara. You will now learn the hard way to be more careful in the future. Remember, you are the model for all Jews in future times. Let's be real Moshe - if even a Tzaddik like you stumbled once imagine how many times others might commit this sin. That is a kal vachomer - a fortiori. I want Jews to read your story so that they realizey that before they talk about others they should first examine themselves and correct their own flaws. What did Confucious say [a Sini - Chinese man. Not to be confused with Sinai..]? "Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's rooftop when your own doorstep is dirty." Or closer to home "Kshot atzmicha tchila vi'achar kach k'shot acherim". I hope they learn the lesson." I hope that I do too. [See Rashi Shemos 2/14 and 4/6] Love, blessings and a SUBLIME SHABBOS to all of my sweetest friends!!!!!!!