Keeping Far from Falsehood
38. A person whose belongings have been stolen may use various stratagems and elements of falsehood to recover them. The same applies when someone is being required to pay taxes from which they are legally exempt. (This refers to corrupt systems.)
39. There is no prohibition against writing “danger” or “glass” on boxes or cabinets to prevent damage or theft.
40. It is permitted to deceive someone who is trying to deceive you (and cause you harm).
**** Reuven had long failed to repay Shimon a loan of 100 dollars and kept coming up with new excuses.
This was despite the fact that everyone could see and knew about his high income and expensive purchases. Shimon, meanwhile, was poor and waited every day for his honestly earned money. When they met at the market, Shimon offered Reuven an item from his shop for 100 dollars. Reuven needed the item and agreed.
As soon as the money was in Shimon’s hands, he said that Reuven had now repaid his debt, and that if he still wanted the item, he would have to pay for it.
If a woman hides her husband’s own belongings from him, he may offer to “buy” them from her solely to find out where they are.
41. If workers decide to leave in the middle of a job (in breach of their agreement), the employer may offer them double pay to avoid a loss. He will not, however, be obligated to pay them twice as much when the work is finished, as he promised.
42. It is permitted to give inaccurate information (ideally, one should use phrases that can be interpreted in two ways) to avoid violating one of the Torah’s prohibitions (including rabbinic enactments). For example, to avoid the prohibition of lashon hara (speaking ill of others).
43. It is permitted to deceive when a person’s health is threatened, and all the more so when a life is at stake. This is also permitted if you fear the evil eye or other people’s envy.
44. In all the cases mentioned above in which it is permitted to tell an untruth, this may be done only on an occasional basis; however, there are opinions that dispute this assertion.If the desired goal can be achieved in another way, or if inaccurate information could harm other people, one must avoid falsehood.
45. Likewise, during prayer, when a person communicates face to face with the Creator, one must be very careful and guard one’s lips against lies and deception.