The Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

A certain person asked Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, zt”l, for a favor. “I am sick and need a very expensive operation. Although I can not possibly afford the medical treatment that I need, the government will not pay for it because I own a house and am considered to be in the category of one who has assets to pay for the operation and hospitalization. So I would like to ask the Rav a favor. I want to write up a document stating that I owe the Rav a giant sum of money. If I can show the government that my house is not free and clear, the entire procedure won’t cost me a dime! After the procedure, we will nullify the document. I am asking the Rav because I trust him not to take unfair advantage of me.”
Rav Yaakov replied gently but firmly, “I cannot possibly comply with your wishes in this matter. I never say a lie, and I certainly will not commit one to writing. This is a serious prohibition and in addition it goes against my grain.
He concluded, “If I would not do this for my own benefit, how can I be expected to do so for anyone else’s?”