115 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Leviticus, Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2), Source Book Keys, WAGS LEVITICUS | 25:17 defraud — LEV994 It is prohibited to hurt a Jew with one's ... LEV994 It is prohibited to hurt a Jew with one's words, as it says, "You shall not defraud one another; but you shall fear God, for I am Hashem your God" [this verse]. Rashi explains the meaning of this verse: "Here [the Torah] warns against ona'ah, that one should not irritate another person… " One must refrain from annoying a fellow Jew even indirectly or inadvertently. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 59b) says that if a man was sentenced to death by hanging by the court, one must never say to one of his relatives, "Hang up this towel." The word "hang" evokes memories of his relative's hanging, which will cause him to become embarrassed. Similarly, the halachic authorities relate that a certain woman was once suspected of having committed adultery in Teveriah [Tiberias--AJL]. A man called to her, "Teveriah, Teveriah!" in public. The authorities ruled that he ask her for forgiveness. Share Print Source KeyWAGSVerse25:17Keyword(s)defraudSource Page(s)126 Switch article LEVITICUS | 25:17 afflict — LEV993 The second category [of slanderers] consis... Previous Article LEVITICUS | 25:17 distress — LEV995 Chazal say that the pasuk: וְלֹ֤א תֹונוּ֙ ... Next Article