An Astute Question

May we “fudge” the truth when asked by El Al security if someone has given us something to place in our luggage? After all, if a trusted relative or neighbor has given us an envelope or an article of clothing to bring to Israel, there is no security risk. Moreover, if one answers that someone did provide him with something, it may cause a delay for further investigation. Asks a TABC talmid, is it permissible to tell a “white lie” and respond that no one has given you something to place in your luggage to avoid a hassle?

Yevamot 63a: Rav, His Wife, His Son, Peas, and Lentils

An answer emerges from an analysis of an intriguing incident recorded in Yevamot 63a:

“Rav was irritated by his wife. If he asked her to make lentils, she made peas. If he asked her to make peas, she made lentils. When his son Chiya got older, he (Chiya) would reverse the request (and then his mother would make what the father wanted). Rav said to his son, ‘Things are going better with your mother.’ Chiya said, ‘I am reversing it for her.’ Rav said, ‘This is what people say (a Talmudic expression for a popular adage): “The one who comes from you teaches you good sense.” You should not do this, as the verse states, “They have taught their tongue to speak lies and weary themselves to commit iniquity” (Yirmiyahu 9:5).’”

Rav apparently admires his son’s clever strategy, as he mentions a common folk proverb about learning wisdom from children. But, at the same time, he instructs his son to cease misreporting to his mother.

A Classic Contradiction

Several of the traditional commentaries ask why Rav instructs Chiya to refrain. After all, it is a well-accepted halachic principle that one is permitted to lie for the sake of shalom bayit (preserving peace). For example, halacha follows Beit Hillel, who advocates (Ketubot 17a) praising a bride as beautiful even if she is not. Moreover, a few pages later, in the very same Masechet (Yevamot 65b), we learn that Hashem deviated from the strict truth to preserve harmony between Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu. Sarah could not believe she would have a child because “my husband is old” (Bereishit 18:12). When reporting Sarah’s words to Avraham Avinu (ibid. Pasuk 13), Hashem stunningly alters Sarah’s words and relates that she said, “How can I give birth seeing that I am old!” Furthermore, Hashem even instructs Shmuel HaNavi to lie (Shmuel I 16:2) to maintain his peaceful relationship with Sha’ul HaMelech.

Why shouldn’t Chiya employ the same principle?

The Maharsha’s Answer

The Maharsha (commenting upon Yevamot 63a) sees the pasuk cited from Yirmiyahu as the key to the answer. The prophet condemns habituating oneself to evading the truth. A situation in which Chiya would constantly lie to his mother would train him for a life of deceit. While the occasional lie to protect someone’s feelings will not have an adverse educational impact, an ongoing pattern of falsehood will. Therefore, Rav directs Chiya to stop. Indeed, the Gemara (Sotah 42a) states that habitual liars will not merit receiving the presence of the Shechinah.

Conclusion

Rav’s instruction to his son seems relevant to the modern-day travel scenario since it is a recurring scenario. Lying is a dangerous habit from which it is difficult to extricate. In my opinion, one should tell the truth to the security officials. Preserving one’s integrity is well-worth whatever hassle ensues. The Gemara (Shabbat 55a) tells us that Hashem’s seal is “emet.” Therefore, it should be ours as well.

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck. He also serves as a rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a dayan on the Beth Din of Elizabeth.