29 Oct IT JUST DOESN’T PAY TO CHEAT

As the entire world
was about to be
destroyed by the great
mabul, the flood, the
only means of escape
was to get passage on
Noach’s ark. Only those
who maintained absolute
morality were given a coveted berth on this
very last hope for all life. The Medrash tells
us that Sheker, falsehood, approached Noach
to enter the teiva. Noach turned him down
explaining that only couples were allowed
entry onto the ark. So Sheker went in search
for a mate. He came across Pachata, the
being in charge of hefsed and hezek, loss
and damage. In desperation, Sheker asked
him if he would agree to be his partner so
that they could save their lives by gaining
a cabin on the teiva. Pachata inquired what
Sheker was willing to offer in order that he
become his mate. Sheker answered that he
was willing to agree on the condition that
any profit gained through Sheker should
be turned over to Pachata. Pachata agreed
to this bargain, they became partners, and
Noach duly accepted them onto the teiva.
The Chofetz Chaim, Zt”l, Zy”a, remarked
that the partnership between Sheker and
Pachata is still thriving thousands of years

later in our time so that any activity built upon
falsehood, any business deal formulated
through lies, is doomed to eventually end in
loss and damages since it is handed over to
Pachata who ensures its doom and ruination.
The Nesivos Shalom elaborates that initially
Noach did not want to take Sheker along
for the ride since he reasoned that the teiva
represents Kiyum HaOlam, the preservation
of the world, while Sheker contributes to
the ruination of the world. However, when
Sheker teamed up with Pachata – ensuring
that anything lacking in integrity would fail
and that anything built on dishonesty would
flounder, Noach concluded that that was
good for the world to see so that it would be
an incentive for people to live and conduct
their businesses with integrity and honesty.
The posuk makes a chilling prediction.
“Osher lo b’mishpat, b’chatzi yamov
yaazvenu – Wealth acquired unjustly will
forsake a person at midlife.” This is a new
understanding of a mid-life crisis. People
who have built up portfolios, who have
climbed the corporate ladder, who have
prospered though lies, deceit, and trickery
will find these edifices disintegrating and
collapsing.
In Masechtas Derech Eretz Zuta, it teaches
us succinctly, “He who takes what is not

his, that which is his will be taken from
him.” The Gemora tells us, in Masechtas
Shabbos [30a], the very first thing a person
will be asked by the Divine Tribunal will be
“Nosata v’nosata b’emunah – Did you do
business faithfully?” Rav Pam, Zt”l, Zy”a,
used to ask why the Divine Question isn’t
worded ‘Nosata v’nosata b’emes? – Did you
do business truthfully?’ He would answer
that the businessman should conduct his
business affairs not just truthfully but with
faith, feeling that Hashem is watching him
at all times while he conducts his business.
We know that the Gemora in Shabbos tells us
that Alef-Beis-Gimel-Daled stands for Aluf
Binah Gomel Dalim, study understanding
and be benevolent to the needy. These are
the ABCs of Yiddishkeit, Torah and Chesed.
The Chassidic masters give another insight
in to Alef-Beis-Gimel-Daled – that is “(A)
Emunah Bracha, Gneiva Dalus – If there is
truth and faithfulness then there is blessing,
but if there is theft and dishonesty, then there
is poverty and impoverishment.” So, let’s
remember that anytime we are tempted to
cut corners, to cheat a little bit, that Sheker
struck a bargain with Pachata and we will
not gain an iota but, to the contrary, there
will only be loss and damage from any such
behavior.

In the merit of our trying to live honestly,
may Hashem bless us with long life, good
health, and everything wonderful.