– Q. I inherited from my parents a most beautiful large “silver” Chanuka Menorah. It truly shines and reflects the best of what we can imagine a silver menorah would look like. Yet, it was as often is, only silver plated, but genuinely looked real. More so, it had the numbers “925” engraved in a visible side (usually the indicating number for Sterling Silver).

I had it checked by a silversmith and he confirmed that it is only silver plated. Do I have to erase or at least cover that number that is so misleading, so I won’t transgress on having benefit from a “Sheker” or lie and falsehood?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is likely that the number “925” that is usually engraved hidden under the utensil, was placed out just for advertising and promoting a sale value that is really not there. Therefore it should indeed be covered or removed, to avoid the sponsoring of a lie and also complying with the mitzva of “Midvar Sheker Tirchok” or keeping far away from falsehood.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a