Being as Pesach is just around the corner, I don’t want to distract you by discussing a topic not related to Pesach, however, I would like to discuss just one short shailah which is practical for anyone flying to Eretz Yisroel or from Eretz Yisroel to Chutz La’aretz for Pesach.
Question: People flying with El Al are often asked whether they're carrying packages for others to deliver in Eretz Yisroel. If travelers truthfully admit to carrying harmless items like clothes or letters, security may thoroughly search all the luggage, possibly causing them to miss a flight and undue stress. Is it permissible to tell security they aren’t carrying anything from others, even though this appears to be a lie?
Answer: The Gemara in Bava Metzia (23b) states there are three instances where one may deviate from strict truth, such as claiming one has no food at home (to avoid hosting inappropriate guests, as Rashi explains). Based on this principle, the Sefer Chasidim derives that when truthfulness might cause harm, it is permitted to lie.
In this security scenario, deviation appears permissible for several reasons:
- Admitting to carrying others’ items could result in distress if security refuses to allow these items, harming both the traveler and the package’s owner.
- Security’s main concern is danger, not ordinary items. When they ask if you’re carrying something for someone else, their actual question is whether you are carrying any dangerous items. Saying “no” conveys “I have nothing dangerous,” which is a truthful response to their intended question.
- Security personnel who don’t find a passenger suspicious would prefer not to delay the line. They actually prefer to hear there are no packages to inspect— they are only concerned for people who are potentially dangerous, and not one who is simply doing their friend a favor and bringing a letter for them.
Leading poskim have endorsed these justifications. While one could debate whether each reason independently justifies deviation, certainly the second reason—that the passenger truthfully communicates having nothing dangerous—is not considered a lie at all.
It is important to note that this guidance applies even when flying airlines with non-Jewish security personnel, as normally one may not deviate from truth even with non-Jews. However, based on the reasons above, it is permitted in all such cases.
I once made this mistake of telling the truth and they told me to stand on the side and to wait until they could check my luggage, Boruch Hashem I made the flight. However, I am a nervous traveller and leave lots of time, I can imagine, however, there are people who don’t and if they would have to wait, they would in fact miss their flight.
I am not certain who these leading poskim are, but it’s very logical and this is what I saw brought down from R’ Yaakov Skoczylas shlita.
