Exact Scales Create Wealth

לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ בְּבֵיתְךָ אֵיפָה וְאֵיפָה וגו' (כה

You shall not keep in your house two different efah measures... (25:14)

Exact Scales Create Wealth:

The Avnei Nezer of Sochatchov zy'a would warn his chassidim to make sure not to cheat any customer – even a non-Jew - by using faulty scales or weights. A chasid once asked for his advice regarding what type of business he should open. The Avnei Nezer told him that he could open any type of store that he wanted. He ended up opening a store next door to a big factory that employed many workers, who frequented his store and bought his merchandise. With this customer base, he did a lot of business. However, when he calculated the amount of money that went in and out, he discovered that he hadn't made any profit. He didn't know why this was or what to do, so he returned to the Rov to ask his advice.

The Avnei Nezer told him, "Try to remember, did you ever cheat anyone with a faulty weight or scale?"

The man nodded and said that he sometimes allows himself to use faulty weights when selling to non-Jews. The Avnei Nezer said, "The Torah says: 'It shall not be to you.' You will not have parnassah if you use false scales or weights. Since you did this, you were unable to make a profit."

He concluded by saying, "The pasuk says that one who does not do things like that will merit a long life. How can anyone not take that seriously?"

There was a milkman who was present during the speech. He realized that he had been acting wrongly, as he had always watered down his milk. He decided then and there never to do that again. However, the next day his customers complained that his milk didn't taste as good or became spoiled.