This week, we continue with translating the Chofetz Chaim’s Sefer entitled, “Sefas Tamim.” Sefas Tamim, from which our foundation takes its name, focuses on the importance of honesty in word and in deed. We now continue with our translation of Chapter 2, which discusses the great punishment that awaits those that are deceitful.
“And because of the many sins of society, the proliferation of lying and deceit has grown extensively in the businesses of some men who consider these sins to be permissible and they lie unhesitatingly as a matter of routine in the conduct of their business. They say to their buyers, ‘I paid such and such for these goods,’ or ‘People have paid me such and such a price for them.’ And on occasion, they will swear an oath to the lie of what they are saying. These people believe that these are clever and sharp strategies necessary for making a profit. These people say that whoever does not use these techniques, in these times will not eat bread (will go hungry). This mindset has become so pervasive that because, in our many sins, we have become a disgrace to our neighbors who commonly believe that everyone knows that some Jews are devious and lie...”
