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Accurate Weights and Measures

Question:

B"H Thank you so much for your help.
My question is: I have a bathroom scale that uses a dial (not digital) to display weight. Sometimes, the starting amount seems to bounce either forward or backward about a millimeter or two, so that the starting point (if not adjusted manually) can be a little more than zero or a little less than zero. Is there any issue to keeping this scale if I try to adjust it manually before using, or since it is not 100% accurate unless adjusted manually, I need to get rid of it due to not having false scales?
Thank you again.

Answer:

It is wonderful that you are being careful about all aspects of halacha, but there is no need for you to be careful about making sure your bathroom scale is precise. This is because the prohibition not to have inaccurate scales on one's possession is solely to ensure that we don't cheat someone else in business, however if the scale is not meant to be used for selling things, it doesn't have to be accurate.

Best wishes

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2 Comments

  1. I think, it is a very valid and correct point. …At the same time if the person is an athlete competing in such sports as freestyle wrestling, boxing, martial arts, then the bathroom weights must be as precise as possible for the purposes of monitoring body weight. As the slight inaccuracy in measurement, let us say in the morning of the day of competition, might potentially result in athlete competing in a different – higher weight category (than s/he expected), or in disqualification. Thus, for the competing athletes the bathroom weights must be as precise as possible. Thank You.

    1. Interesting... However even here the scale id not meant to be used for selling things.

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