[Avodah] Permissible Flattery

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

R' Harvey Benton:
This past Shabbas in the city where I live, there was a printed poster hung-up outside our shul, announcing that a Rebbe was in town. The Rebbe was staying at a Gvir's house (who happens to be a VERY big Baal Tzedakah), and stated about the Gvir, that he was a "Rishon Shebirishon BeChol Davar Shebekdusha".  

We know that Flattery in Yiddishkeit is not allowed, except under certain circumstances such as complimenting a bride, to avoid physical harm, and perhaps some other specific cases.   

Does this particular poster violate injunctions against Flattery?  HB
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I think one can draw a parallel to those Kesubos that were written in the time of the Gemara with an inflated amount - double or triple the actual Kesubah amount. Since everyone knew that to get the actual amount of the Kesubah one must divide by two or three, it's as if that lower number was written in the Kesubah, and it's understood that the higher number was written for appearance's sake. Similarly, in these cases, the expressions used are meant for "ornamental" purposes. If you want to get the true measure of the man, divide by two or three (Kol Makom L'fi Minhago). 

KT,
MYG