I Promise I Won't Lie or Maybe I Will?
Divine Code for September 26, 2022
Today: Page 198
Topic 12:1 -- 12:3
It is forbidden to mention the names of idols in a manner of praise, honour, importance or in vow. Regardless of whether one means the words or not.
A person who makes a promise in the name of an idol - whether he worships it or not - blasphemes and dishonours God. By associating his vow with an idol, he gives it importance and the person who listens to it will certainly think that he believes in this idol.
A vow should not be necessary, because everyone's word should be true.
Five situations are traditionally identified in which it may be permissible to deviate from telling the complete truth, if no promise or vow is involved:
1 To preserve peace - To avoid hurting someone's feelings
2 To avoid a situation that might lead toe physical harm
3 For the sake of modesty - to avoid arrogance
4 For the sake of decency
5 To protect one's money or property from thieves or scoundrels
This is called: Mutar le-shanot mipnei ha-shalom: “It is permitted to tell an untruth (literally, “to change” the facts) for the sake of peace.
We see this in some of the stories of the Tanakh that the full truth is not told. In fact, we see that G-d Himself does not do so in the story of Abraham and Sarah.
The angels came to tell them that they would have a child. Sara laughed and thought to herself:
'After I am worn out and my lord is old, shall I now have this pleasure?'" G-d then asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'" G-d did not mention that Sarah believed that not only was she too old to have a child, but also that Abraham would be too old for this. G-d did not want bad feelings to arise between the two and, for the sake of peace, did not speak the full truth.
Reading schedule the Divine Code
Yesterday: Topic 11:12- 11:66
Tomorrow: Topic 12:4 - 12:8
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code by rabbi Moshe Weiner
Chabad Article: When Is It Permitted to Tell a Lie?
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