The Edited Issue

• Alana Spellman

  In terms of the ugly baby episode, I think this is a situation where you must lie. A baby is… In terms of the ugly baby episode, I think this is a situation where you must lie. A baby is a sensitive issue enough where not a single parent wants to think that their child is ugly. The emotions and love attached to the baby are so strong that if any friend tells the parents it is ugly is a huge insult. Even if the parents recognize the fact that the baby is ugly, they find the  cute aspects of the child and that is all that they want to see. (צפיה בדעה במקור)

• עדינה גוטליב

  In telling the parents that their baby is ugly, you are only inflicting harm. Because there is neither a solution nor… In telling the parents that their baby is ugly, you are only inflicting harm. Because there is neither a solution nor a way to improve their problem, there is no reason to give your negative opinion. While you do not necessarily have to lie about their baby being good looking - as that would be an intentional lie - you also shouldn't inflict pointless pain. (צפיה בדעה במקור)

• אלכס רויזמן

  In the Seinfeld baby scenario, I would not say that the baby is ugly. Regarding the unattractive bride in the… In the Seinfeld baby scenario, I would not say that the baby is ugly. Regarding the unattractive bride in the case of the Talmud, Beit Hillel said that you should not acknowledge her ugliness, but rather compliment her despite her looks, since there is no going back for either the bride or her husband. Similarly, in the case of the baby, the parents can’t go back and they are stuck with their ugly child so there is not point in acknowledging its unattractiveness. On the other hand, pertaining to the unattractive bride in the case of the Talmud, Beit Shammai said that you must distance yourself from lying. Perhaps in the case of the ugly baby, you can follow Beit Shammai’s opinion by avoiding any comments having to do with the baby’s looks. That way you won’t have to say the truth that the baby is ugly or a lie and claim that the baby is beautifu. (צפיה בדעה במקור)

• Ari Spellman

  I think that with the ugly baby scenario, it would be pointless to tell the parents that their baby is… I think that with the ugly baby scenario, it would be pointless to tell the parents that their baby is ugly. Not only would it hurt their feelings, but it would not change the looks of the baby. It would make the parents happy if you told them a white lie, it would keep the peace. As in the story with Avraham, if even God is lying to keep the peace surely we should too. (צפיה בדעה במקור)