[Avodah] Truth v Peace: The White Lie (J. Sacks)

[Harvey Benton]

R. Jonathan Sacks (as brought down by R. Micha Berger):
Truth matters, but peace matters more.

HB:  Pirkei Avot 1:18 says: R. Shimon ben Gamliel says the world is sustained on 3 things:  Din, Emet, Shalom.   Shenemar: Emet, Umishpat, Shalom ...
In both of these 2 lists Shalom (Peace) is listed after both Din/Mishpat and Emet (Truth).  

If these 2 lists are described in their order of importance, can we learn that perhaps there can be no Peace without either Din/Mishpat and/or Emet existing first?  

Further, the 2 cases mentioned by R. Saks involve: 1. Hashem omitting words 2. Joseph’s Brothers fabricating words.  

What is not brought down is Jacob’s deception of his Father Yitzchak.  In that case, Rashi tells us that Jacob was careful with his words so as to not outright lie to his Father.  This is not something the Brothers did when they spoke to Joseph.

Also not brought down is Shimon & Levi’s deception of the people/prince of Shchem.  It appears that Shimon and Levi were not motivated by Peace, but rather by revenge or mishpat. 

It would appear to me that at the very least both the Brothers, Jacob, and Shimon and Levi were involved in Ganeivas Daas, and possibly violated the injunction of Midvar Sheker Tirchak for whatever reasons. 

HB