[Avodah] Did Shlomo HaMelech lie when suggesting the baby be cut?

[Daniel Eidensohn]

R, Meir Rabi wrote:
>
> Did Shlomo HaMelech lie when he proposed that the baby be cut?
>
> The Gemara Shevuos 31 defines MidVar SheKer TirChok as misrepresenting 
> that two witnesses exist thereby inducing an admission, rather than 
> presenting a single witness which only requires that an oath be taken, 
> and we are fairly sure he will swear falsely. There is no suggestion 
> that any testimony is presented, the fake witness just comes along to 
> BD and just by impression, convinces the admission of the defendant.
>
>  One would have thought this a fantastic outcome, no lies, false oaths 
> and true restitution. But we are wrong, this is bad, evil and sinful.
>
> Now, how was the ploy utilised by Shlomo HaMelech any different? He 
> threatened to cut the baby thereby discovering the true mother.
>
Just asked this question to Rav Nosson Kaminetsky. He replied that his 
father Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky said that it was not a lie. Shlomo HaMelech 
in fact was prepared to cut the baby in half. But at the same time 
Shlomo HaMelech was fully convinced that the threat to do so would cause 
the resolution of the question and thus he would not have to follow 
through on his threat.


Daniel Eidensohn