Lying: Difference between revisions

# If children are fighting, and lying will bring peace between them it is permitted to do so.<ref>Opinions of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l and Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Titen Emes L’Yaakov page 85, Niv Sefasayim opage 26. Refer to Niv Sefasayim ibid if doing so is permitted when two non-Jews are fighting and if the truth is told it may cause damage to Jews. </ref>

If a utensil broke and blaming it on a child<ref>Refer to Rashi Sefer Bereishis 30:23.</ref> (who does not understand, since otherwise it would not be good chinuch to lie) would make peace of the situation, then doing so is permitted.<ref>Titen Emes L’Yaakov page 125. </ref>.

In order to prevent someone from doing an issur one is allowed to say a name of an odom gadol (that he will listen to) who said it is ossur, even if the odom gadol did not say it.<ref>Refer to Rashi Mesechtas Pesachim 112a “hitla,” Orach Mesharim 9:6. </ref> The same is true to lie in order to avoid eating something which is ossur, i.e. to say you are fasting.<ref>Kaf Ha’chaim 565:36. </ref> In addition, someone in the kashrus field may lie to a non-Jew and tell him Jewish law requires it even if it does not in order for him to listen.

There is a dispute if one is supposed to say to the chosson the kallah looks nice even if she does not.<ref>Mesechtas Kesubos 17a, Semak 227, Rabbeinu Yona Sharei Teshuva 3:181, Orchos Tzadikim Shar HaSheker, see Titen Emes L’Yaakov pages 175-176 who explains the dispute see ibid :page 100-101. Also see Niv Sefasayim 2:pages 4-9 in great depth, and Torah She’bal Pe 21:pages 92-94. Refer to Ben Yehoyada in Mesechtas Kesubos 16:page 67 and Yismach Lev 1:page 170. </ref> L'maseh, one is permitted to say a kallah looks beautiful even if she does not.  The reason is in order that her chosson should love her.<ref>Mesechtas Kesubos 17a. See Tosfas “kallah,” Rashba, Shita Mekubetzes, Shulchan Aruch E.H. 65:1, Chasam Sofer Mesechtas Kesubos ibid.</ref> Some say this is based on the heter to lie because of peace.<ref>Ritvah Mesechtas Kesubos ibid. Refer to Maharsha Mesechtas Kesubos 16b “ketzad.” </ref> Others say because even if one says she is beautiful when she is not it can be going on her actions.<ref>Bais Shbmuel E.H. 65:2, Prisha 1, Aruch Ha’shulchan 65:1. See Shevet Ha’Levi 5:2. </ref> The same is true for one whose child is not pretty; he may say he is beautiful.<ref>Emes Koneh page 37:footnote 5, Titen Emes L’Yaakov page 224 quoting the opinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l. </ref>

A rebbe who sees a student who is not learning, can tell him "you have the ability to learn better" even if the rebbe knows he does not, if it is done in order for the student to be more learned.<ref>Niv Sefasayim page 48. </ref>

One may lie to someone who is broken hearted if doing so will cheer him up.<ref>Emes Koneh page 37:5. </ref> For example, if one is in pain because he has no money one can say to his friend I do not either have money even if he really does.<ref>Niv Sefasayim page 73. </ref>

One is allowed to call someone his son or bother even if he is not his son or brother. The reason is because even one's students are his sons and all Yiddin are brothers.<ref>Orach Mesharim 9:10:footnote 12, Niv Sefasayim page 121. </ref>

It is very common after a couple gets married for the new father-in-law to call the son-in-law a son or daughter. This is not considered a lie because a son-in-law or daughter-in-law is really like ones own child.<ref>Refer to Titen Emes L’Yaakov page 143, Niv Sefasayim page 121, Rashi Sefer Bereishi 37:35 “v’kol,” Rashi in Mesechtas Shabbos 23b “nufek.” </ref> The same is true for the son-in-law to call his in-law by Ma or Ta.<ref>Niv Sefasayim page 121. </ref> Nonetheless, one should not do this in front of his parents.

# It is forbidden to lie to the government and say that there are more students in the Yeshiva than there really are in order to receive more benefits from them.<ref>Igros Moshe C.M. 2:29. </ref>