#816: When is saying “the truth” problematic?
We are cautioned to refrain from making a shavuah (vow) unnecessarily. The Shitah Mekubetzes (R. Betzalel ben Abraham Ashkenazi, 16th century) states that the expression, “b’emes” (it’s the truth!), is one of the key words that would turn an otherwise innocuous statement into a sh’vuah. One explanation offered to justify this position: Emes is considered to be one of Hashem’s holy names and using it to verify our words is as though making an oath in Hashem’s name. Accordingly, poskim say, people should be forewarned not to use the word b’emes in the context of affirming our actions or inducing others’ trust.
But there are many poskim who are lenient in this regard, and posit that the opinion of the Shitah Mekubetzes is a da’as yachid (singular opinion)—not a widely-accepted halachah, or that it should be considered mishnas chassidim (a teaching for the exceptionally pious). This is especially so if someone is simply saying the word without intending to grant their words the authority of a sh’vuah. Certainly, if the word is used in conversation with little attention to its meaning, there is no reason for concern.
Nevertheless, there is room to be machmir (stringent) and refrain from using the word “b’emes” to confirm the veracity or our words.