Are you allowed to lie to maintain a good reputation?

Asked May 31 '15 at 10:30

Active May 31 '15 at 10:35

Viewed 77 times

The Torah states "Midvar Sheker Tirchak" (stay away from falsehood). However during certain situations, such as maintaining peace or avoiding ayin hara, it is permissible to lie.

Is there a leniency to allow deceit when your reputation is on the line?

edited May 31 '15 at 10:35

Shoel U'Meishiv

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asked May 31 '15 at 10:30

Ani Yodea

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What scenarios are we talking about wife? Work? Children? – Shoel U'Meishiv May 31 '15 at 10:30
Maybe you should edit that in to clarify – Shoel U'Meishiv May 31 '15 at 10:34
Let's say work or shidduchim.. – Ani Yodea May 31 '15 at 10:34
I am curious to know if there's ever a leniency I don't want to limit it to one particulars case. – Ani Yodea May 31 '15 at 10:35
For marital harmony it is on certain instances permitted. But in general it's not – Shoel U'Meishiv May 31 '15 at 10:36
Mefsresh, where can I look to learn more about this topic? – Ani Yodea May 31 '15 at 10:38
There are books that deal with this. But try typing in Google "when is it permitted to lie halacha " and see what comes up – Shoel U'Meishiv May 31 '15 at 10:44
any luck? I hope you found something – Shoel U'Meishiv May 31 '15 at 11:04
@Mefaresh, google actually brought me back here:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=COtqVbe0BvDksATfzIGAAg&url=http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/5531/what-are-you-allowed-to-lie-about&ved=0CCAQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNHjRV-sAg5kk5VPzmEtvLxtkA-TsA&sig2=JUpMWiKxdsr9lSRot0mSFQ it seems that the question is a duplicate. :) – Ani Yodea May 31 '15 at 11:06
Let us keep to shidduchim. It really depends if the other side mind or not. For instance I was once asked if the bochur was a talmid chochom. He was more than the FIL but not the greatest. But I reckoned that he would be quite happy with him so I said yes and it went ahead and everyone is happy. – cham May 31 '15 at 11:51
What does "FIL" mean? – Ani Yodea May 31 '15 at 12:08
I think it means father in law – Shoel U'Meishiv May 31 '15 at 17:05
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@cham I'm not sure someone lying to make a shidduch between two men can be considered revelatory about the view of the Torah...;) – Loewian May 31 '15 at 17:44
Hhhmm how about stealing to maintain one's honesty? – user6591 May 31 '15 at 18:52
@user I can't think of an example where that would be required. – Ani Yodea May 31 '15 at 19:39
@Ani it was meant to be a snarky ironic comment. If a good name doesn't represent the honesty of the person to whom it belongs, what makes it a good name? The false perception to others and its misrepresentation? – user6591 May 31 '15 at 19:44

Are you allowed to lie to maintain a good reputation?

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