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.
“Now, this Mitzvah of being careful not to steal is a logical Mitzvah, and even if it was not given in the Torah, man would still have logically deduced it. Now, this is one of the Seven Mitzvos commanded by Hashem to the first man in creation. Man must conduct his business honestly, and his hands must be clean of any theft, in order that he merit to ascend to the holy mountain of Hashem. Dovid HaMelech A”H, expressed this idea in Tehillim (24:3-4) ‘Who will climb the mountain of Hashem and who will stand in the place of His holiness? One with clean hands and a pure heart.’ From this we learn that whoever steals is distant from Hashem’s mountain and from the place of His holiness. Chazal have similarly expounded on this that whoever has in his possession something that was stolen will not be allowed entry into the chamber (presence) of HaKadosh Boruch Hu, as the Passuk states (Tehillim 5:5) ‘bad cannot dwell with You.’ – meaning, in Your presence, bad will not dwell.”
