On amud alef, the gemara learns that one must be careful with his words "lest you be proven to have spoken falsely, and you will be trapped [by your words]" as the Rav explained. However, the idea is that Moshe said "k'chatzos" because if the ASTROLOGERS erred then they might say Moshe was a liar. This is not being "proven to have spoken falsely" but rather APPEARING to have spoken falsely. Am I correct?
Thanks so much,
Simcha Feldman, Baltimore USA
Dear Simcha,
Hello there and thanks for your question. The point is that person should never be caught in a situation where he is perceived as not telling the truth. In most cases it means to leave an opening in your statement. In the case mentioned in our Gemora Moshe knew he was telling the absolute truth, but the astrologers could make him look bad, as Moshe will never be able to prove that his statement was accurate. Also see Tosofs D"H v'Asah.
All the best.
Y. Landy