Keep Far from Falsehood - Whom May One Deceive?
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…
Laws of relationships
Explore Laws of relationships at Neshama Sheli: articles and reading collections about Jewish life. Discover the section and related topics for further reading.
Keep Far from Falsehood - Things Not Usually Discussed Aloud
Keeping Far from Falsehood 34. It is permitted to tell a fabricated story or change the characters in order to provide financial assistance to someone who is embarrassed to accept tzedakah from other…
Keep Far from Falsehood - Taking the Blame
Keeping Far from Falsehood 29. If someone has bought a poor-quality item and can no longer return it, one should not tell them about its defects or inflated price. One may speak only of its merits an…
When It Is Permitted to Tell an Untruth
Keeping Far from Falsehood 26. Sometimes, to avoid conflicts and unpleasant situations, it is permitted to alter certain details. The Torah places great emphasis on the laws governing human relations…
Keep Far from Falsehood - “Bli Neder” (Without a Vow)
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…
Keep Far from Falsehood - Writing Under a Pseudonym
Keeping Far from Falsehood 12. The author of a book is permitted to remain anonymous and use a different name (a pseudonym), if this is customary among writers at the time. Today, this is considered…
Keep Far from Falsehood - The Language of Exaggeration and Metaphor
Keeping Far from Falsehood 9. The Torah does not forbid exaggerations and metaphors commonly used in everyday speech, because people are familiar with such expressions and they do not mislead anyone.…
Keep Far from Falsehood - Honesty
Keeping Far from Falsehood 6. When telling a story about someone, even if the story itself is accurate and faithfully retold, one must consider when, in what situation, and among whom one has chosen…
The Commandment “Keep Far from Falsehood”
Keeping far from falsehood 1. It is written in the Torah (“Exodus,” 23:7): “Keep far from falsehood.” This passage discusses the laws of the beit din and false testimony; however, according to some r…
Arguments and Disagreements - Keeping Silent During a Quarrel
Arguments and Disagreements 18. The Sages taught: “The world cannot endure without people who are able to remain silent during a quarrel.” There is even an opinion that the Torah forbids answering or…
Arguments and Disagreements—Debate During Torah Study
Arguments and Disagreements 8. The prohibition of lashon hara does not apply to speech directed against those who incite arguments and disrupt the atmosphere of unity in the Jewish community. But her…
Disputes and Disagreements - In the Past and Today
Disputes and Disagreements 4. A wife should follow the traditions and customs observed by her husband. 5. Someone who travels to another city or country should not violate the laws observed in that r…