Parshash Kedoshim
“You shall have just scales, just stones, just eiphahs (a measurement) and just hins (a measurement)!” (Vayikra 19:36)
It is a positive commandment to correct scales weights and measuring instruments, and to make sure they are right and to be very careful with them, as it says “You shall have just scales, just stones, just eiphahs (a measurement) and just hins (a measurement)!”. The Torah warned us about this, because in all things related to measurements etc. one can do all sorts of tricks and swindles. The “Eiphah” refers to a dry volume measurement and the “Hin” refers to a liquid volume measurement. The Torah warned us about each type of measurement separately (even though it is all included in the biblical prohibition not to trick one’s friend) to emphasize the severity of the matter. Chazal said that Hashem only took us out of Egypt on condition that we would accept upon ourselves the commandment to have correct measurements.
The root of this commandment is that it is the basis for the existence of honesty and distancing theft and trickery between people, and is self-understood by any sensible person.
Amongst the laws of this commandment are that which Chazal said that one must not make weights out of tin, lead or other metals because they rust and afterwards weigh less. Instead, one must make them from stone, glass or other similar materials. Chazal also said that one should not make the liquid measures bubble up while measuring (by pouring too fast) for this makes it look full even when it is not yet full. They said the above even when discussing a very small measurement because we find that the Torah insisted on having correct measures even when discussing the smallest amounts. The Beis Din (Jewish court of law) is obligated to appoint inspectors in all places to check and correct the measuring systems, and they have the power to fine people who are found to have false measuring systems.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times, both to men and women. One who transgresses it has contravened a positive commandment. This is separate from the fact that he has transgressed the prohibitions of theft and false prices (if the value of the deception was more than a Perutah (the smallest coin in Talmudic times)). Transgressing this particular commandment is especially severe, as if he wants to repent and pay back all the people who he tricked, he will be unable to remember all of the buyers, and he will not know to whom he should return the money.
