honest weights and measures

“When Performing a Mitzvah Comes at a Significant Personal Cost”

The priests of old were profoundly challenged when they worked in the Tabernacle and Temple, since their service resulted in a significant loss of personal income.

"The Torah's 'Secret' for Longevity"

The Torah contains three Mitzvot whose reward is the lengthening of days. The first, found in the Ten Commandments, is honoring one's father and mother. The second, found in parashat Kee Teitzei is known as shiluach hakahn, sending away the mother bird from the nest when taking the chicks or the eggs. The third, which is also found in Kee Teitzei, concerns honesty in business--that one may not possess smaller or larger weights, or smaller or larger measures. According to the Talmud, the first question that the heavenly tribunal asks the deceased is, "Did you conduct your business honestly?" Unfortunately, even in the religiously observant world, ethical behavior in business has not received the emphasis or attention that it merits.