Death and life in the hands of the tongue

We are commanded to remember what Miriam said about Moshe, yet we also may not speak badly about another Jew. Isn't remembering it a kind of lashon hara on her? And how can it be to her merit that the whole camp waited for her, when it highlights her sin? The Rambam in Hilchos Tumas Tzaraas describes exactly what she said and what she meant by it, and Rav Zev Leff explains why this moment in the Torah is the sharpest lesson in how careful we must be with our words. At a seudah, the Chofetz Chaim is pressed by a talmid for a promise, and he asks for one in return.