...continued from previous week
1) It is permissible [and according to some Poskim, even considered a Mitzvah] to lie for purposes of keeping the peace (Darkei Shalom), if there are no other alternative ways to ensure the peace. (See Talmud Yevamos 65b, Sefer Chasidim Siman 426 and Chofetz Chaim Hilchos Rechilus Klal 1:14)
2) Some Poskim maintain that when doing so it should not be done with an outright lie, rather by bending the truth in such a way that the one hearing it will understand it as a lie.
However, many Poskim allow saying an outright lie. (See Aruch LaNer to Yevamos 65b, Mogen Avrohom Siman 156 and Chofetz Chaim Hilchos Rechilus Klal 1:8. See also Sefer Ohel Yaakov from the Dubna Magid Parshas Emor where he writes that although it is permitted to say an outright lie in this case, it is still more becoming of a G-d fearing Jew to not do so if possible)
3) The Talmud (Bava Metzia 23b) teaches us that there are three other instances where lying is permitted, and refers to them as “Maseches, Puria and Ushpiza”
Maseches:
If someone asks you if you are versed in a certain tractate of Talmud [for the purposes of testing you], even if you are, you may humbly say no. (See Rashi to Gemara ibid. Dibur Hamaschil B’Maseches. See also Drisha to Choshen Mishpat Siman 262)
If someone is learning a certain topic and is questioned as to which topic they are learning, they may lie and say they are learning something else in order to avoid having to answer questions on the real topic they are learning. (Sefer Toras Chaim Bava Metzia ibid.)
4) However, if the questioner is asking a Halacha question for purposes of Halacha L’Ma’aseh he must answer the question if he knows. (Tosefos Bava Metzia ibid. Dibur Hamaschil B’Maseches)
Puria:
According to Rashi Puria means, if one is asked if they had marital relations, which if answered truthfully would be lacking in Tznius, modesty, he/she must lie.
Likewise, a woman who is asked if she pregnant with a child, may lie to protect her privacy.
6) According to one interpretation in Tosefos it means, if one didn’t attend the Bais Medrash due to being impure (Tumas Keri) and needing to immerse in a Mikvah, he may lie and say he was ill or another valid excuse if asked about his absence.
Ushpiza:
If one was a guest at someone’s home, and is asked by someone else how the accommodations were and if they were treated OK, he may lie and say they weren’t OK as to prevent the questioner from being an “unwanted guest” at the host, and thus cause him an unwanted monetary loss. (Rashi Bava Metzia 24a Dibur Hamaschil B’Ushpiza. However, according some Poskim do not rule this way and do not accept this interpretation of “Ushpiza” as this is prohibited due to Lashon Hara. See Chofetz Chaim Klal 9:3 and Dibros Moshe from Rav Moshe Feinstein Bava Metzia ibid.)
The Rambam and others interpret “Ushpiza” as follows: If one was a guest at someone’s home and he is asked where he stayed he may lie and say he stayed a different person’s house in order to prevent “unwanted guests” from taking advantage of the real host.
8) It is permissible to lie in order to save another Jew from embarrassment, but if possible it should be done in a way that doesn’t seem like a lie is being said. (Sefer Chasidim 642)
To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
