Keeping Far from Falsehood
20. If a person invents stories or slightly alters what he has heard when retelling it, without any benefit to himself or harm to others, he is still lying, and a fondness for such fabrications may eventually lead him to bear false witness.
21. Someone who says, “I will do this…” without adding “bli neder” (without a vow), and subsequently does not do it, also violates a prohibition. There is an opinion that this does not fall under the prohibition against deception, but is a different transgression, as stated in the book of Zephaniah[1]. Its third chapter says: “The remnant of the people of Israel will do no avlah, nor will they speak falsehood, nor will deceit be on their lips…”(3:13). The word “avlah” is translated as wrongdoing, a transgression, an unjust act—anything for which one later has to compensate the person wronged. Unlike the word falsehood, it is used when referring to an improper action.
22. If a person is asked where a particular product can be obtained, he may not say, “Go to Yitzchak; he sells it,” if Yitzchak does not actually have that product.
23. If a person has no money at the moment, he is forbidden to pretend that he wants to buy something by examining the merchandise on display. He is also forbidden to ask about prices if he has no intention of buying those items at all.
24. It is forbidden to say, “Come tomorrow, and I will repay my debt to you,” if the person knows that he will be unable to do so tomorrow either. However, if he intends to make every effort to repay the money by tomorrow and clearly says that he will “try” to return the money tomorrow, there is no prohibition.
25. The prohibition, “Keep far from falsehood,” is also violated when one listens to speeches by people who wish to distance one from the traditions of one’s ancestors and the true faith. After all, everything they say ultimately amounts to false claims that the Almighty does not exist and that He does not govern this world.[1]One of the so-called “Minor Prophets,” whose prophecies are collected in the book “12 Minor Prophets.”