Mussar: Dealing Honestly is a Kiddush Hashem

Mussar courtesy of Derech Emet:

Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, Chelek Mitzvot Aseh, Mitzvah 74:

I have already lectured to the exiles of Jerusalem. in Spain and to the other exiles in Europe [Edom]:

Since our exile has been lengthened greatly, Israel must separate from the empty things of this world
and grab the seal of The Holy One Blessed Be He, which is truth.

They must not lie to Jews or Gentiles, and not mislead them. [the Gentiles] in any way. They [Jews] must sanctify themselves even in things that are permitted to them, as it is written. [in Tanach]:

THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL WILL NOT DO INJUSTICE AND WILL NOT SPEAK FALSEHOOD AND DECEPTION WILL NOT BE FOUND IN THEIR MOUTHS (Tzefaniah, chapter 3, verse 13).

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And when The Holy One Blessed Be He comes to save them, the Gentiles will say:

It is done justly, because they [Jews] are people of truth. and the Torah of truth is in their mouths.

But if they behave deceptively with the Gentiles, then they [the Gentiles] will say:

Look at what The Holy One Blessed Be He did:
He chose thieves and deceivers for His portion [chelko]!

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NOTE: Rabbi Eli J. Mansour interprets this to mean that the messiah [mashiach] cannot come until the Jewish people. earn a reputation for honesty among the Gentiles.

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MICROBIOGRAPHY: Rabbi Moses ben Jacob of Coucy was a. French Tosafist who studied under Rabbi Yehudah HaChasid. He was alive in year 1242 of the Common Era when all. Talmud manuscripts in France were confiscated and burned.

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Shalom and Regards,
RRW