Behrman House Blog

Classroom resources can appear in the most unlikely places; in fact, a great discussion starter is now getting a lot of air time on TV. If you haven’t seen it, check out this creative Geico commercial that depicts honest Abe Lincoln struggling to reconcile his natural tendency to tell the truth with his desire to avoid hurting his wife’s feelings.  

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdy3orO6tQA[/youtube]

Here are a few ideas and relevant Jewish texts you might use to explore Lincoln’s thorny ethical dilemma:

1. Play the You Tube video
2. Ask students: 
   1. What is the ethical dilemma portrayed in the commercial?
   2. Do you agree with Lincoln’s behavior?
   3.  If you have encountered a similar situation, how did you behave?
   4. When is it permissible to tell a white-lie?
3. Divide the class into small groups; distribute the following text and ask each group to analyze it.

 And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “Now that I am withered, am I to have enjoyment with my husband so old?” Then God said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh saying, “Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am?” (Bereishit 18:12-13)

  4. Make sure your students understand the context of the quote and then ask:

1. What is the difference between Sarah’s words and what God reports to Abraham?
2. Do you think God tells a lie in this text? If so, for what purpose?
3. What ethical principle can we learn from God’s behavior?
4. Our ancient Sages explain God’s behavior, saying, “Great is peace, seeing that for its sake even God modified the truth” (Yevamot 65b)

  5. Does this text and the rabbinic commentary support or condemn Lincoln’s behavior in the commercial?

  6. Share personal, literary, and historic examples of times when the truth was sacrificed for peace.

You could stop the analysis here, but if you have class time and want to dig deeper, see below.

  7. Distribute the following text and ask students to read and discuss it:

 Our rabbis taught: How does one dance [and what words does one say] before a bride? The School of Shammai says, “The bride [is described] as she is.” The School of Hillel says, “[Every bride is described] as beautiful and graceful.” The School of Shammai said to the School of Hillel, “If she was lame or blind, does one say of her, ‘Beautiful and graceful bride?’ Does not the Torah command, ‘Stay far away from falsehood’?” [Exodus 23:7] But the School of Hillel answered the School of Shammai, “According to your words, if a person has made a bad purchase in the market, should one praise it to him or deprecate it? Surely one should praise it to him.” Therefore, the rabbis teach, “Always should one’s disposition be pleasant with people.”  (Ketubot 16b-17a)

 8. Ask students if the fictitious Lincoln is a disciple of Shammai or Hillel?

 9.  Explain to students that at first glance, it seems as if Lincoln rejects Hillel’s position and embraces Shammai’s approach; after all, the President tells the brutal truth even though it hurts his wife’s feelings. But a closer examination of the second half of the text reveals that Hillel too might have supported Lincoln’s actions.  

Help the students unpack this complex text.

10. Ask students:

1. What example does Hillel offer to counter Shammai’s assertion that the Torah forbids falsehoods? [If a person who has made a bad purchase asks your opinion, you should tell a white lie and praise his decision.]
2. How is this example similar to the original ethical question: Should one lie to a bride about her appearance? [Just as the bride can’t change her appearance, a person who has already made a bad purchase can’t do anything about it. Therefore, telling the truth would be hurtful.]
3. What ethical standard can we infer from Hillel’s advice to praise a bad purchase? [If the truth will hurt someone’s feelings without achieving a greater good, then a white lie is permitted.]
4. How would you apply this standard to the Geico commercial?  
5. What greater good does Lincoln’s honesty serve?  [Consider this explanation by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin : “…if someone preparing to go to a party in inappropriate attire asks your opinion, you should tell him or her your true feelings (you may save the person from embarrassment). But if you meet someone at a party inappropriately dressed, tell the individual he or she looks fine, since the truth would only make the person very uncomfortable.”]
6. After studying this text, do you think Lincoln’s behavior was appropriate? 
7. WWYD -- What would you do?