Not to deny possession of something entrusted to you

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 1:3) explains that denying a deposit with an oath erodes faith in Divine justice, as it treats Hashem’s holy Name as a cover for dishonesty.

Truth / Justice – צֶדֶק

• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 224) writes that the root of this mitzvah is to preserve fairness and protect social trust. Without honesty in entrusted items, justice collapses.

Speech – דָּבָר

• Rashi (Leviticus 19:11) interprets “do not lie one to another” as financial dishonesty, showing that truthful speech is central to monetary integrity.

Theft / Robbery – גְּנֵיבָה / גְּזֵלָה

• Rambam (Hilchot Gezelah 4:1) rules that denying a deposit through a false oath is both theft and oath-breaking, compounding the transgression.

Business / Commerce – מִשָּׂא וּמַתָּן

• The Talmud (Shevuot 29a) highlights that oaths of denial are especially severe because they corrupt the trust necessary for all trade and partnerships.

Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת

• Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 7:1) categorizes this as part of shevuat hapesikadon, where financial deceit and misuse of Hashem’s Name converge into one prohibition.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 224) emphasizes that dishonesty in entrusted items undermines the very bonds of society. Trust in deposits and oaths sustains communal life.

Bein Adam L’Chavero (between people)

• This mitzvah primarily safeguards trust and fairness between individuals. Denying a deposit robs another of property and violates interpersonal integrity.

Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and G-d)

• When denial is sealed with a false oath, it also desecrates Hashem’s Name. Talmud (Shevuot 39a) teaches that the world trembles at false oaths, showing the Divine dimension of this sin.