(c) 2000 Dr Hendel; 1st appeared in Torah Forum (c) Project Genesis
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Date: Sun, 13 Jun 1999 21:08:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel < rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Lying
Alan Weiner in Torah Forum Volume 4 Number 71 asks for exceptions when we
tell do not have to tell the truth. There are 4 exceptions and they are all
listed in Rambam, Theft and Loss 14:13. They are:
You can lie
a) to bring peace between 2 people
b) on whom your host is (so as not to burden him)
c) on what you are learning (so you wouldn't be asked questions on it)
d) on which bed you slept in (in case of nocturnal accidents).
As can be seen from these 4 examples one can lie if telling the truth would
cause unnecessary anguish to other people (and there is no loss in the
lie); one can also lie for reasons of modesty.
Russell Hendel; Phd ASA Math & Computer Science Drexel
http://www.shamash.org/Rashi/