Halakhah su Levitico 25:14

Rabbeinu Yehudah Hachasid (Sefer Hachasidim 507, in some editions 1163) writes that one should not conceal flaws from a potential marriage partner, lest the couple live a miserable life together. In fact, Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that just as the Torah (Vayikra 25:14) forbids misrepresenting merchandise in order to deceive consumers (ona’at mamon),³The Gemara discusses the laws of ona’ah at length in the fourth chapter of Bava Metzia. Regarding the severity of the sin of ona’ah, see Mesilat Yesharim (Chapter 11). surely one may not conceal information in a manner that misleads a potential marriage partner.⁴Teshuvot Igrot Moshe (Even Ha’ezer 4:73:2). Also see Teshuvot Divrei Malkiel (3:90) and Kehilot Yaakov (Yevamot 38). Moreover, if someone mistakenly marries without knowing that his/her spouse has an extremely severe flaw at the time of the wedding, the marriage’s validity can be called into question.⁵The laws of kiddushei ta’ut (marriages contracted under false pretenses) are exceedingly complex, such that only a major halachic authority can rule on practical cases of kiddushei ta’ut. We summarize the main issues surrounding kiddushei ta’ut in our first volume (pp. 40-47). One need not reveal every minor flaw, however, but only those that will likely undermine the marriage’s happiness.⁶The distinction between major and minor defects applies to business, too. When I sought to sell a used automobile, Rav Hershel Schachter told me that I need not enumerate every flaw, but rather only highly significant defects. For a discussion of disclosing defects in advertising, see Rav Aaron Levine’s Economics and Jewish Law (pp. 87-91).

Of course, the Chief Rabbinate’s policy supports the dairy industry of Medinat Yisrael, thereby facilitating the fulfillment of yishuv Eretz Yisrael. The availability of more jobs in Eretz Yisrael allows more Jews to live there and brings more tax revenue to the Israeli government, which it can then use to fulfill its role of facilitating Jews living securely in Eretz Yisrael. Those who advocate the purchase of chalav yisrael milk in the United States argue, similarly, that this practice economically supports our fellow Jews. The Torah indeed advocates purchasing a product from Jews if possible.²⁵See Rashi to Vayikra 25:14 s.v. V’chi, Teshuvot Rama (10), Ahavat Chessed (1:5:6-7). See Rav Doniel Neustadt’s The Monthly Halachah Discussion (pp. 50-51) for a summary of the parameters of this mitzvah.

He prohibited us from wronging the convert and causing him damage in buying and selling. And that is His saying, "and you shall not oppress him" (Exodus 22:20). And the language of the Mekhilta (Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 22:20:1) is,"'You shall not oppress him,' is with money." And it has already been explained in the Gemara, Metzia (Bava Metzia 59b), that one who wrongs the convert transgresses on account of, "you shall not wrong your brother" (Leviticus 25:14), and on account of, "You shall not wrong a convert"; and one who oppresses him, transgresses on account of, "and you shall not oppress him," in addition to the prohibition in which he is included with all of Israel - meaning to say, financial wrong. (See Parashat Behar; Mishneh Torah, Sales 14.)