Lying: Difference between revisions

# The posuk in the Torah<ref></ref> says that one should further himself from lying. <ref> Parshas Shemos 23:7, see Rambam Hilchos De'os 5:7, Shulchan Aruch C.M. 262:21, Mishnah Berurah O.C. 25:14, Mesilas Yesharim 11. Refer to Rambam Sefer Hamitzvahs Lo Sasei 281 who includes the issur of lying in the issur of saying Hashem's name in vain regarding bais din. Lying is disgusted in the eyes of all, and there is nothing more disgusting than lying. Hashem is truth, and beracha only goes on someone who wants to go in the ways of Hashem. Therefore, the Torah tells us to further ourselves from lying. Pela Yoetz Sheker page 558, Sefas Tamim 6:page 24 write that no other aveirah does the Torah use the words "to further" except for lying therefore one must be careful with this even when it would only appear to be a lie. The issur is not only not to say a lie but to further oneself from a lie (Niv Sefasayim page 10). </ref>

# The opinion of a few poskim is that this issur is talking about a person swearing in Bais Din,<ref>Eben Ezra Mishpatim 23:7, see Orach Mesharim 9:footnote 1 in depth, Modanei Yom Tov 2:pages 463-464). Refer to Mesechtas Shavuos 30b. </ref> or if it might cause damage.<ref>Refer to Sefer Yeraim 235, Rambam Hilchos De’os 5:13, Derech Sicha 1:pages 306-307, 2:page 134. </ref> (According to this lying is permitted in many situations, see below), while most poskim<ref>Refer to Kovetz Bais Aron V’Yisroel 59:pages 70-75 in great depth. </ref> hold there is an issur even if the lying does not fall into the above categories.<ref>Refer to Semak 227, Shlah Shar Osios Shin, Chinuch ibid, Reishis Chuchma Shar Hakedusha 12:60, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 402:12, Aruch  L’ner Mesechtas Yevamos 65b “ko sumro,” Sefas Tamim 1:page 7, 6:page 24, Chofetz chaim pesicha asei 13, 1:1:1, Chazzon Ish Emunah and Betachon 4:13:page 55, Tzitz Eliezer 15:12:2, Niv Sefasayim pages 2-3, 2:pages 1-4. Refer to Michtav M’Eliyahu 1:pages 94-96 who explains what lying and truth are. </ref>