It is an abomination to Hashem your G-d all who do these, all who act corruptly[1]
The issue that the Torah considers here is padding weights and measures. Ironically, the pasuk before us seems to be padded itself! Economy of words would dictate that it should read either, “All who do this are an abomination,” or, “All who act corruptly are an abomination.” Why does the pasuk separate the two descriptions into two phrases?
The answer may be that the Torah is deliberately taking dead aim at an impulse common to many people, even thoughtful, law-abiding ones. Their thinking is that they would never, ever think of profiting through deceit or dishonesty. At least not in regard to the general population. But when dealing with people they know to be corrupt, they believe that it is perfectly fine to meet deception with deception. Let those corrupt people have their comeuppance. Let them, for a change, be the ones to suffer for the manner in which they take advantage of honest people.
Furthermore, they argue, a certain amount of corruption is so common, that it is part of the price of doing business! The butcher whose finger weighs on the scale can truthfully argue that his wholesaler has used similar faulty weights and measures when selling to him. He, the butcher, is simply passing along a business expense to the consumer. Isn’t that the way everyone does business?
Through the “padding” of our pasuk, the Torah may be saying that these arguments remain abominable! It hints at this reading: “All who use inaccurate weights are an abomination to Hashem, even when dealing with people who act corruptly!” It is abysmally wrong to use deception, even against deceivers.
Since the beginning of Chumash Devarim, Moshe has been delivering his final messages to his people. He has introduced new mitzvos to them, and reviewed others regarding which they lacked full clarity. Nearing the end of the list, he warns them about faulty weights and measures. He tells them that not only do they commit a serious aveirah through them, but they have a devastating effect upon so many other mitzvos that he has taught them. Because when people perform mitzvos with money gained illicitly, G-d finds those mitzvos abominable! Even those “who do these,” – i.e. perform all the Torah’s mitzvos and obligations – are still seen as repugnant when those mitzvos are tainted with dishonesty.
- Devarim 23:16 ↑