Elizabeth says that Bernie is a liar.
Bernie says that Elizabeth is a liar.
I would tend to believe both of them on this one.
Almost everybody lies. Why wouldn't he if he can get away with it? Because it says in this weeks Parsha to stay FAAAARR AWAY from falsehood [מדבר שקר תרחק]? Sorry Vanessa [???] - that doesn't work for most people. I know people who are VERY Frum [or at least dress and act the part] who lie. I know one guy [a principal of a Torah institution] who lied to me recently about 8 times about a serious matter. Now when he talks to me I automatically assume that he is lying. Of course, I don't like talking to him in the first place because he is such a duplicitous liar - יאריך השם ימיו ושנותיו בטוב ובנעימים!!!
When Hashem was about to create the man, the Medrash delightfully relates, "Truth" said NOT to because he is כולו שקרים - complete falsehood. So it was and so it is. People lie right and left. About small things and about big things. Every culture and religion doesn't like liars and yet every culture and religion are filled with liars. It is a human trait to lie when I can get something out of it and even though most people feel guilty about it, they continue to do it. It is like cheating on a spouse. Everybody agrees it is wrong and yet about the only reason people don't do it is for fear of getting caught [besides those who refrain for religious reasons]. The power of attraction is stronger than some abstract moral code. The need to lie is similarly stronger than any ideal such as honesty. There are exceptions who will never lie. But they are just that - exceptions. The only question is how much a person lies and what motivations he or she needs. Chazal say רובן בגזל - most people steal or are financially dishonest in some way. Just about everyone lies from time to time. Pay attention to your words and you will see how correct I am. Even when asked "How are things" and a person says "great" it is often a lie. Most people are too focused on their problems and what is bothering them to really think that things are great. But they say it anyway.
We must respect people but suspect them at the same time in order to protect ourselves. As they say [even though there is no source in Chazal for this - see שו"ת אבני חפץ simman 31] "כבדהו וחשדהו". Respect a person and suspect him at the same time.
Check out this source from דרך ארץ רבה:
See here for more.
