July 15, 2021; Av 6, 5781
Halacha – Jewish Law Commercial Misrepresentation: Many of today’s marketing tactics are geared toward touting the virtues of a product to be sold and downplaying any disadvantages in a manner that may at times, border on the transgression of deception (Genaivas Daas). We are not permitted to dress up merchandise to give the wrong impression of its quality or condition. In the times of the Gemara, that meant not brushing up the cattle’s hair to make it appear fatter and not painting old vessels to make them appear new. We are not allowed to conceal any defect that most people would care about...