Daily Mitzvah (Rambam)

The 248th prohibition is that we are forbidden to falsely deny that we owe money or that we were entrusted with an object.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not deny."

It is explained2 that this refers to a financial claim. The Sifra says, "We learn what the punishment is from the verse,3 'If he denies [illegally withholding another person's money] and swears falsely [...he must pay the principal and add one-fifth.]' Which verse serves as the actual prohibition?4 The verse, 'Do not deny.' "

You are aware that one who [falsely] denies possession of an object he was entrusted with — even if he does not swear falsely — is invalid to act as a witness. This is because he has transgressed the mitzvah, "Do not deny."5

The details of this mitzvah are explained in a number of passages in tractate Sh'vuos.

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.

Footnotes

1.

Lev. 19:11.

2.

Sanhedrin 86a.

3.

Lev. 5:22.

4.

Since every prohibition must have one verse which is the actual prohibition and another to dictate the punishment.

5.

The Torah disqualifies a person from testifying only if he has violated a Biblical law. Since the person is disqualified even though he has not sworn falsely, we see that the prohibition applies even where there was no oath.

The 249th prohibition is that we are forbidden to swear falsely regarding money that we owe.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Do not lie to one another."

If, for example, one [falsely] denies possessing an object he was entrusted with, he transgresses the prohibition, "do not deny."2 Should he swear falsely to substantiate his previous denial, he transgress the [present] prohibition "do not lie."

The Sifra says, "What does the Torah mean to teach us by saying 'do not lie'? The verse,3 'and he swears falsely' serves as the punishment. Which verse serves as the actual prohibition?4 The verse, 'do not lie.' "

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the fifth chapter of Sh'vuos, where it is explained that a person who makes a false oath in denying a financial claim transgresses two mitzvos — "do not swear falsely by My name"5 and "do not lie to one another."6

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.

Footnotes

1.

Lev. 19:11.

2.

N248.

3.

Lev. 5:22.

4.

See footnote 22.

5.

Lev. 19:12.

6.

I.e., N248 and N249.