Negative Commandment 250 (Digest)
Honesty in Commerce
"When you make a sale to your fellow or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow, you shall not defraud one another"—Leviticus 25:14.
It is forbidden for a seller or buyer to cheat one another in the course of commerce [by deceptively overcharging or underpaying for merchandise].
The 250th prohibition is that we are forbidden from cheating each other in business when buying and selling.
The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "When you sell something to your neighbor, or buy something from your neighbor's hand, do not cheat one another."
The Sifra states, "The verse 'Do not cheat one another' refers to cheating someone monetarily."
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.
Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by
Sichos in English.
Translation of (the unabridged text of) Sefer Hamitzvot by Rabbi Berel Bell, member of the Rabbinical Court of Montreal and director of Teacher Training for the Jewish Learning Institute.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by
Sichos in English.
