1,209. Causing Damage

183:1 One is not permitted to damage another person's property, even with the intention to pay, just as one is not permitted to steal with the intention of paying. Even to cause damage to another person through action or speech is prohibited. For example; if one person sold merchandise to a non-Jew and another came along and told the buyer that the merchandise was overpriced, this is forbidden. If someone caused damage to another in a manner that is permitted under man's law, he is nevertheless liable under Divine law until he appeases the injured party.

183:2 If a person suffered some damage, he may not get rid of it if doing so will cause damage to another. This is because one is not permitted to save himself by causing financial damage to another. However, before the damage reaches a person, he may divert it so it doesn't come on him, even though doing so will cause it to befall someone else. For example, if a channel of water is poised to enter his field, so long as it has not yet reached his field, he may erect a barrier to keep it from doing so even though this will cause the water to flow onto someone else's property. However, once it enters his field, he is not permitted to remove it in a way that causes it to reach another's property. Once the damage has come to a person, he is not permitted to unload it onto another.