No Tricks

As is fairly well known, many cities in Israel have a very well-developed system of public transportation. Although regular use of the buses can be fairly expensive, there is an option to purchase a monthly pass that allows unlimited travel for a set amount of money.
A certain student had purchased such a pass as he did every month but he had lost his pass. Although on every document that is issued there is a disclaimer explaining that the pass is not transferable for any reason, this young man figured his case was different. After all, he had paid for a pass. So he asked his friend if he could borrow his monthly pass to travel when the friend did not require it. The friend felt fairly certain that this was no problem, but since he knew that the halachos of financial matters are extremely complicated he decided to ask his rebbi, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l.
When the boys asked their question and explained why they felt it was halacically permitted for them both to use one bus pass, Rav Shlomo Zalman reacted in a very strong manner. He literally stood up from his chair and exclaimed, “But this is a chilul Hashem!”
On another occasion, two cousins with the same name earned flight points with a certain non-Jewish airline. Although each one’s points alone didn’t amount to much, their combined points could earn them a free ticket. The two wondered if one of them could take all the points for himself and cash in on the reward. After all, the company was owned by non-Jews, and what difference did it make to them if the young men took advantage of their program?
But when they consulted with Rav Shlomo Zalman in this matter he absolutely forbade any such tricks. “That is gezel gamur!” he declared.