Conservative Judaism/false testimony..

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Expert: - 5/10/2010


Question
it is a sin to give false testimony against your neighbor. but does this include opinions on the nature of their internal world? let me explain better. for example, if a politician says "obama doesn;t understand," does that count as false testimony seeing as he might understand? or is it universally understood that when it comes to matters of the heart, opinions are merely that- opinions, and not truth? therefore meaning saying such a thing does not count as false testimony? it would merely be that he did not put the "i think" in front of "obama doesn;t understand." if this is true, we could then define "false testimony" as a lie made about someone's actions or speech in accordance with WHAT HAPPENED rather than what MIGHT be happening, seeing as if something only MIGHT be happening, we can't tell if it is or not? if we define "false testimony" this way it means we could also share our opinions on how other people feel without fear of sinning. i.e. "you're arrogant." "you love me." "you're stupid." "you think i'm better than you." we just wouldn't have to say "in my opinion" at the end. is this the hebrew definition of "false testimony"?

Answer
Dear Han,

While I am delighted to answer a specific question, your note is "very involved."

With this frequency and seriousness of questions, I hope that you find a local Rabbi and study with that congregation or community.

False testimony is when one lies before a court knowingly and deliberately.

Expressing an opinion would not be false testimony, but in a court only a qualified expert would be permitted to express a judgment.

Telling falsehoods about others in the form of gossip is forbidden. Telling the truth about someone that includes information to their detriment requires yo to carefully evaluate the circumstances, e.g. protecting someone from harm would be proper. Just telling another person detrimental information when it could harm them is considered "lashon hara" and is discouraged if not outright forbidden.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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