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Cheating on a test

Question:

Is it geneivas daas to cheat on any test? Do any of the following reasons apply: a) if it is no way at all related to the topic I am majoring in, so who am I misleading about my credentials, b) it is known that everyone cheats on online examinations, c) it will lead to significant bitul torah? Note: I am not discussing cheating on a topic which will be your profession, in which case you are misleading clients etc.— it is about someone who needs a degree in order to be an accountant cheating on an earth science test, for example. Additional note: There is no concern of him getting caught, so there is no concern of chillul Hashem. Please address all of these possible reasons.

Answer:

It is genivas daas to cheat on a test and it should not be done. There are two types of genivas daas, one that fools the other person when there is a monetary ramification, such as getting a diploma falsely when you don’t know the material, and customers are going to hire you when you aren’t qualified. A lower level, but still considered genivas daas is when you fool someone else without a taking money from them. In our case, you are faking the mark to give a good impression and fooling the school into give you a diploma, when it isn’t deserved, and. I would not say that they know that everyone is cheating and they allow it.  Bitul torah is not a heter to do any issur.

Aside from this there is another issue of lying at the end of the online test and writing that you didn’t cheat.

Sources:

CH:M 248-6, Igros Moshe CH:M 2-30, Mishneh Halachos 7-275, Kuntris Onnas Devorim Ugvievas Daas 21, Lreiacha Komoicha Gneivas Daas 3-75.

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2 Comments

  1. What is the source that geneivas daas is assur (besides it being sheker, which may be allowed l’toeles) even if it does not affect money (geneivas daas b’mamon) or obtaining a favor [he will be toreiach for me) (geneivas daas b’dvarim)?

    1. You are getting the diploma from him because of the genivas daas. That is not less than a favor.

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