Mitzvah —
212
Not to swear falsely in denial of a monetary claim
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לֹ֖א תִּגְנֹ֑בוּ וְלֹא־תְכַחֲשׁ֥וּ וְלֹֽא־תְשַׁקְּר֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ בַּעֲמִיתֽוֹ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת קְדשִׁים
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Leviticus 19:11 - "You shall not steal. You shall not deny falsely. You shall not lie, one man to his fellow."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Business / Commerce – מִשָּׂא וּמַתָּן
It is forbidden to swear falsely in denial of a monetary obligation or claim.
This mitzvah prohibits one from swearing falsely in court or elsewhere to deny a financial debt or obligation. Such an oath combines dishonesty, theft, and the desecration of Hashem’s Name. It not only wrongs the claimant but also corrupts the sanctity of oaths.
By placing this prohibition in the Torah, Hashem highlights the deep link between monetary integrity and spiritual faith. Every oath in business or financial dealings carries weight before Heaven.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 1:3–4): A false oath regarding money is among the most severe transgressions, because it merges theft with chilul Hashem.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 226): The root is to preserve both honesty in commerce and reverence for Hashem’s Name.
- Talmud (Shevuot 29a–30a): Distinguishes between a simple lie and an oath of denial — the latter incurs additional liability before Heaven.
- Rashi (Leviticus 19:11): Teaches that the verse covers not only lies but also false oaths tied to monetary disputes.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 1:3–4) explains that swearing falsely about money erodes faith in Divine justice, since it treats Hashem’s holy Name as a shield for dishonesty.
Truth / Justice – צֶדֶק
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 226) teaches that the root of this mitzvah is to establish truth in all business dealings. False oaths destroy fairness and compromise justice.
Speech – דָּבָר
- Rashi (Leviticus 19:11) includes financial dishonesty under “do not lie one to another.” This shows how the Torah elevates speech: it must never be corrupted, especially with Hashem’s Name.
Theft / Robbery – גְּנֵיבָה / גְּזֵלָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Gezelah 4:1) explains that one who swears falsely to deny a claim effectively commits theft, as he unlawfully withholds what belongs to another.
Business / Commerce – מִשָּׂא וּמַתָּן
- The Talmud (Shevuot 29a–30a) classifies oaths of denial as severe because they undermine the trust required for commerce and partnership. Without honesty, business cannot function.
Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת
- Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 7:1) identifies these as “shevuat hapesikadon” (oaths of denial), a direct Torah violation combining financial deceit with misuse of Hashem’s Name.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 226) stresses that dishonesty in oaths destroys the foundation of society. Community life depends on trust; when oaths are corrupted, the communal fabric unravels.
Bein Adam L’Chavero (between people)
- This mitzvah protects relationships and fairness. A false oath robs others not only of money but of trust and dignity.
Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and G-d)
- When Hashem’s Name is invoked falsely, the sin also affronts Him. The Talmud (Shevuot 39a) says the world itself trembles at false oaths, showing their cosmic gravity.
