Telushkin references a number of times that white lies are told in the Torah. He includes Sarah laughing when she is overhears that she will soon bear a child. She comments that she, herself, is withered, and her husband is old. God relates this story to Abraham, leaving out the part about Abraham being old. “Great is peace, seeing that for its sake, even God modified the truth.” (Yevamot 65b)
Hillel and Shammai disagree about what to tell a bride. Hillel insists that ALL brides are beautiful, Shammai insists that each bride must be taken individually. Talmud sides with Hillel, but notes Shammai disagreement.
As Telushkin says, “Before you tell a truth that can cause only pain and inflict gratuitous hurt, ask yourself WHY you should tell it. There are indeed times when a pretty lie is preferable to an ugly truth.”
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