The Lakewood Mashgiach’s Friend: Volume 5, Issue 43, Ki Saitzay

September 6, 2025; 13 Elul, 5785 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

Rav Matisyahu Solomon ZT”L was the Mashgiach (Yeshiva supervisor) of Beis Medrash Gavoha (BMG) in Lakewood, New Jersey and was renowned for many things including being very careful regarding the character trait of Emes (honesty). Rav Matisyahu was also the go-to person in Lakewood for direction and advice and often spoke to people until the wee hours of the morning.

There was a young man who very much wanted to attend the circus. His parents felt that it was not an appropriate environment for him and were wary of letting him go. However, they suggested that he pose the question to Rav Matisyahu...

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Landlords, Tenants and Emes: Volume 5, Issue 42, Shoftim

August 30, 2025; 6 Elul, 5785 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

QUESTION: I am a landlord in New York City (the “City”) and find myself involved with a dishonest tenant. We have signed a lease, and he has paid me my first month’s rent and refuses to pay me any further. He is purposefully taking advantage of the fact that the City's landlord / tenant laws are highly skewed against landlords, and he knows the difficulties that I face and the time it will take to evict him under City law. However, I do have one card I can play. I am somewhat certain that he has not retained a copy of the lease. May I lie to the City authorities and claim that we never had a lease and that my tenant was renting, “month-to-month?”....

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Lying for Peace: Volume 5, Issue 41, Re'eh

August 23, 2025; 29 Av, 5785 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

We know that at times, it is permitted to say a falsehood to keep or create peace (Mutar L'Shanos Mipnei HaShalom). What follows is a famous story that illustrates the foregoing beautifully.

The parents of a child with special needs approached Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZT”L for guidance on institutionalizing their son, who was causing unbearable difficulties for the family and the community. The mother was initially reluctant, wanting to keep her child at home. Rav Shlomo Zalman gently convinced the mother that the institution could provide the best care for the boy, benefiting him, his parents, and the community...

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