To Lie for the Sake of Honesty: Volume 6, Issue 16, Terumah

February 21, 2026; 4 Adar, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

QUESTION: Dear Rabbi, I recently read an intriguing study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology (January 30, 2024), which found that in some situations, people may actually lie to seem more honest—even if it means losing money. For instance, lawyers who logged exceptionally long hours would sometimes report fewer billable hours so their clients wouldn't think they were being overcharged. Is this a permissible practice?

ANSWER: Before I respond, it is important to understand how law firm billing works...

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The Truth Behind the Song: Volume 6, Issue 15, Yisro

February 7, 2026; 20 Shevat, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

Chazal (the Sages) teach us that the seal of Hashem is truth (Shabbos 55a). It is not merely one of His attributes. It is His signature upon creation. And because every Jew carries within himself a Chelek Elokah Mima'al (a piece of Hashem from above), that same seal of truth is imprinted upon every Neshamah (soul).

Naomi Shemer is recognized as one of Israel's leading composers. Her 1967 song "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" grew so popular that many regarded it as the country's unofficial national anthem. Yet, controversy lingered around the composition for years, as some critics claimed Shemer had taken its melody from "Pello Joxepe," a Basque lullaby...

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An Offer You Can't Refuse?: Volume 6, Issue 14, Beshalach

January 31, 2026; 13 Shevat, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

Rav Yechezkel Levenstein (“Reb Chatzkel”) ZT”L maintains that developing a commitment to truth is attainable, though it requires deliberate effort to overcome inclinations toward falsehood. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 8:5) explains this concept through an account of a debate that occurred during the creation of the world:

Chessed (the attribute of kindness) argued that man should be created, because he would be a creature that does Chessed. Emes (the attribute of truth) differed, saying that man was full of falsehood...

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