This advertisement (which appeared in the classifieds of the newspaper Hamodia a few years ago), is remarkable for at least two reasons:Firstly, it is a good example of what is called the mitzvah of Hashavat Aveida (returning a lost object or sum of money to its owner).

Secondly, this exemplary conduct reminds us of an interesting period in the life of the Chofetz Chaim - the greatest Rav of the 20th century - who was at the same time a rather unusual businessman.

Rabbi Israel Meir Hacohen of Radin was a discrete scholar. He sought to make a living by opening a small grocery store. It was run by his wife during most of the day. Her role was to check the accounts and spot any issues. As we shall see, his views on trade and profit were quite different to that of other merchants.

His main concern was to ensure that while conducting his business, the many laws of the Torah relating to trade were rigorously respected. Everything was carefully considered: Guezel (stealing), Middot (weights and measures), Onaa (exceeding the price because of a lack of trust), Ribit (credit with interest), etc.

However, his desire for honesty and wish to satisfy his customers by providing the best merchandise caused sorrow to competing grocery stores. They saw their customers leaving them and accused him of challenging their parnassah (source of income) according to the principle of Masig Gevul (crossing the 'territory' of the other).

He then decided to restrict his opening hours to a minimum, so that customers would also frequent other stores. But it was not enough: his regular client were patiently waiting for him to open to buy exclusively at his grocery store, the symbol of "kosher" shopping.

Finally, he felt obliged to close and decided to begin writing and sell his works in communities in the villages of Eastern Europe.

As a result, the Jewish people earned one of the most precious scripts: Shmiras Halashon (laws on language), Ahavath Chesed (trade laws), Taharat Israel (family purity), of course the famous Mishnah Berurah (laws for daily life and holidays), as well as many others.

As the saying goes, dishonesty does not pay.