The 9 Lies Torah Forbids—Even “Harmless” Ones Are Deadly 🔥 (Day 121 - Orchos Tzaddikim | Falsehood 3)

In this Jewish Inspiration Podcast episode (Day 121), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the Gate of Falsehood (Sheker) from Orchos Tzaddikim, detailing the final categories of liars and emphasizing the Torah's command to distance oneself from all falsehood ("midvar sheker tirchak").

The rabbi reviews the nine types of falsehood:

• Obvious lies, subtle forgeries, sophisticated rationalizations.
• "White lies" (inconsequential exaggerations) that curry favor or lower guards.
• Lies to steal potential benefit (e.g., poaching clients).
• Distorting heard facts for no gain/damage.
• False promises/assurances (e.g., "I'll give you this" without intent).
• Leading someone to trust falsely, then breaking it (breaking a covenant-like bond).
• Taking praise for unpossessed qualities (even true praise can be misused).
• Lies about what was heard, changing facts to suit needs.

Key lessons: Falsehood distances one from Hashem (Emet/truth); even "harmless" lies train the tongue for worse deception. Rav’s story warns against teaching children to reverse words—even for "good" reasons—as it habituates falsehood. Punishment varies by severity, but all lies harm soul and others. The chapter ends urging vigilance: purge traits that rationalize lies to attain pure truth.

Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on February 3, 2026
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This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.
Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.
We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)

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Share your questions at [email protected] or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: [email protected]

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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #WhiteLies, #Truth, #Lies, #Rationalizations, #Sheker, #FalsePromises

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