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].
Unabridged English Text of this Mitzvah »
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> The 250th prohibition is that we are forbidden from cheating each other in business when buying and selling.
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> 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."
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> The Sifra states, "The verse 'Do not cheat one another' refers to cheating someone monetarily.";)
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> The details of this mitzvah are explained in the 4th chapter of tractate Bava Metzia.;)
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> Footnotes
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> 1.
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> Lev. 25:14.
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> 2.
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> This is known as ona'as mamon, as opposed to ona'as devarim, which is causing someone emotional distress by something you say. See N251.
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> 3.
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> 49b ff.