Is It Permissible to Lie In Order to Get Out of the Army and Go to a Friend’s Wedding?

Question:

The problem of lying in the IDF is known, and in general I resonate with those who are stringent regarding interpersonal mitzvot. However, next week we have an assessment – a sort of battalion exercise. My friend really wants to go to a wedding of a close friend. At the same time, his sister gave birth, but is not throwing a party. Can he lie and say that there is a party and go to the wedding? Because a baby shower is grounds to receive leave. His claim is that there is no reason for them to decide what justifies leave or not, aside from the fact that guidelines are necessary. Is it permissible to lie?

Answer:

Hello,

Yashar koach for the question.

The background for this can be found in our ethical halachic essay on the Tzohar Ethics website.

I do not see grounds to give permission to lie in this case.

It is permissible to act against guidelines that are harmful, not universal, etc. Regarding this we say, “with the pure act purely, and with the perverse act wily”. However, the decision of the IDF regarding which cases are grounds for leave and which are not reasonable cases, even if there is room for discussion, is not an injustice, and therefore I have a difficult time seeing a permit to lie.

All the best and Yashar koach,

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow

Head of the Tzohar Ethics Center

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