The prohibition of deception and lying (even without theft)

The word gezel in Hebrew means “theft.”

The prohibition of theft makes it forbidden to deceive someone in business. You are forbidden to speak or act deceitfully, even when there is no financial loss. Obviously, this includes a prohibition of lying.

This is not part of the Noahide commandment that prohibits theft. Nevertheless, it is logically obvious that it is a sin. (It can be permitted if it is necessary for protecting a person’s property or safety, or to avoid embarrassment or insult to another person). In Rabbi Weiner’s book The Divine Code, see Part VII, topics 5:24,27.

Printed and ebook editions of The Divine Code by Rabbi Weiner are available here on Asknoah.org, and from Amazon.com.