Statutes, contains many precepts essential for living harmoniously with others. One of these statutes is "Keep yourself far from a lie."
An interesting anecdote relating to the mitzva of not lying is told about a wealthy chasid from Janowitz. In the course of introspection during the bedtime prayers, the chasid decided that whenever he said anything that resembled a lie he would donate 25 rubles to charity.
The chasid mentioned this undertaking to his children's private tutor. "Then lie!" advised the tutor. "You will be providing money for needy Jews."
We do not know whether the tutor gave this advice in jest or earnestly. But we do know that when this very same tutor--himself a chasid--visited Reb Shmuel, the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe reprimanded him for his advice.
In the Mishna, our Sages tell us, "A mitzva brings about a mitzva and a transgression brings about a transgression." According to one commentator, this teaching can be rephrased and shortened to read, "A mitzva brings about a mitzva and a transgression."
How can this be possible?
At times we might do things which we know are not right. But we think that the "end justifies the means": If the store stays open on Shabbat, more money can be given to charity; if it is too far to walk to shul on Shabbat and we drive, well, at least we're going to shul. We begin to convince ourselves that what we're doing is actually a mitzva that will bring about another mitzva. But actually, it is a "mitzva" that brings a transgression.
The Torah in general, and this week's Torah portion in particular, is very clear about what are mitzvot and what are transgressions. And never does a mitzva come from a transgression.
May we only fill our lives with deeds that are truly mitzvot, bringing more and more mitzvot after them.
