The Truth of the Matter
President Donald Trump once met with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. At the time, Mr. Kim promised to begin dismantling his country’s nuclear program. When Mr. Trump was asked whether he believed Mr.
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Middos and Mussar
Honesty
Truth, keeping one's word and avoiding deception.
In All Honesty
The Gemara states that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai was actively involved in business for forty years. Undoubtedly, during those years, he understood all the deceptive tactics that an unscrupulous dealer may employ.
Lying Waze
The Waze app has a crucial safety feature: it prohibits drivers from typing instructions while the vehicle is in motion, allowing only voice commands.
Drunk on Mitzvos
Those who study the daf will notice that the last word of Friday’s daf (Bava Metzia 23b) can be translated as “bed” or “Purim.” Rashi translates it as bed. The Maharsha says it means Purim.
A Case of Pikuach Nefesh
The Gemara recounts a story where the government sent two officers to a yeshiva to study Torah. The government wanted to find out if there was anything objectionable in the Torah.
The Accidental Aveirah
Unfortunately, there was recently a restaurant that was found to be serving treif under the guise of kosher. Rav Moshe, zt”l, ruled that if an individual had a halachic basis to believe a restaurant was kosher and it…
A G-d-Based Moral Bucket List
David Brooks, a columnist for the New York Times, wrote an article entitled “The Moral Bucket List.” Soon after it was published, it climbed to number one on the list of New York Time’s most emailed articles.
Charity with Uncharitable Intentions
One time, when all of Bnei Yisrael came up on pilgrimage (oleh regel) to Jerusalem, there was no water available for drinking. Nakdimon ben Gurion approached a certain lord and said to him: “Loan me 12 wells of water…
On Amtrak, Alabama, and Assumptions
An accounting joke has an employer ask several accountants applying for a job: “What is one plus one?” “Two,” one accountant answers. “Eleven,” another accountant answers.
Shopping Cart Considerations
One Thursday night, I was shopping at a supermarket. That store is open until midnight on Thursday nights, which is perfect for people who wait until the last minute to do their Shabbos shopping.
Glimpse of a Gadol: Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt’l
Klal Yisrael suffered a tremendous loss last week with the passing of Moreinu Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt’l. There will be much written, be’H, about the gadol ha’dor.
Excuses, Excuses
President Donald Trump met with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. Apparently, Mr. Kim promised to start dismantling his country’s nuclear program. Mr. Trump was asked if he believed that Mr.
Message Received
Rabbi Shlomo Kluger, zt’l, was the chief dayan in Brody, Galicia. One Shabbos, someone rode into town with an urgent message for the first Belzer Rebbe, Rav Shalom Rokeach, zt’l.
A Grab Bag Of Halachos
The Gemara states that the sister of Rav Tovi bar Rav Masnah, while on her deathbed, signed away all of her property to him. Rav Achadvoi, Rav Tovi’s brother, complained to his sister: “If you give away all your…
Olive What He’s Having
During the Second Temple period, Eretz Yisrael suffered from a great famine. The great sage Rebbe Yochanan HaChorani survived by subsisting on dried bread and salt.
Spreading The News
Rabbi Chiya’s father had a son, Aivu, from a previous marriage of his. Rabbi Chiya’s mother had a daughter, Ima, from a previous marriage of hers.
Gemara stories on Honesty
Rav's Son Chiya Reverses the Lentils and Peas
Rav's wife always cooks the opposite of what he asks, so their son Chiya reverses the requests, until Rav learns of it and warns him against lying.
Rav Safra Keeps the Price He Agreed to in His Heart
A customer keeps raising his offer while Rav Safra silently recites Shema, but Rav Safra sells at the first price, which he had already accepted in his mind.
The Roman Officers Who Studied Torah
The government sends two officers to study the Torah in a yeshiva. They find one law objectionable, but out of gratitude for their warm welcome they keep it secret.
Is Father Alive? Rav Tells Rabbi Chiya
Rav arrives from Bavel and Rabbi Chiya asks after his parents; Rav's evasive answers tell him, without a lie, that his brother and sister have died.
Moshe Rabbeinu Admits He Forgot
Moshe Rabbeinu objects when Aharon's Rosh Chodesh offering is burned. Aharon explains the halachah, and Moshe openly admits he had heard it and forgotten.