Joining AAA and White Lie to Daughter
QUESTION 26: JOINING AAA AFTER FLAT
If one gets a flat tire and is not a member of the AAA,
can one call up the AAA, join, and then use their service
for towing, even though the flat tire occurred before
becoming a member?
RABBI BELSKY'S ANSWER
think that would OK, and would be consistent with their
policy. I don't know if they're interested to know when it
actually became flat. To use the service, you have to be
a member. So when you called, you're already a member.
You've already paid for a year's membership.
QUESTION
But isn't it as if you outsmarted the system?
RABBI BELSKY
I don't think so, when you called you were a member.
QUESTION 27: WHITE LIE TO DAUGHTER
I bought a birthday present for my daughter, and was ready
to wrap it in order to surprise her, when she saw it and
asked me what it was. Is it OK to make up a story, saying
it's a present for someone else, so that I can surprise her
when we give it to her later? What if she suspects there
is a surprise birthday party, is it OK to lie about it to
her in order to try to keep it a surprise?
RABBI BELSKY'S ANSWER
You'll make her very, very happy and excited if you are able
to make up a story, to surprise her later. It's also possible
to say something that's not entirely a lie. You could say,
"This is something that I'm preparing for someone who is coming
here pretty soon, and I'll have to give it to her." If it makes
the child happier by making up something, some funny story,
so it would be OK. It's all part of the fun that little kids
enjoy. There is an important distinction between dishonesty
and participating in childish fantasy.
NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION 28: INTERVIEWING RABBIS
A community has been talking with a Rabbi for several months
about his becoming the Rabbi of their community. There was
never mention that any other Rabbi is being considered, and
the only thing standing in the way has been 'logistical'
problems. If another Rabbi is now recommended, how quickly
should the first Rabbi be told that another Rabbi is being
considered? Can telling the first Rabbi be delayed for several
weeks until the community decides if the second Rabbi is a
viable choice, especially if the second candidate is a long-shot,
and there is a concern that the first Rabbi will be alienated by
implying that the community wants to 'do better'?
Participate in the Honesty Forum, and discuss the issues we confront in this class!
Subscribe to Honesty and receive this class via e-
mail.
