Do Not Steal Part 1
By Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen
Having spent many months on the Mitzvo of returning lost objects we
finally move on to a new, essential set of Mitzvot – those that are
related to stealing. With superficial analysis, a person may believe that
the laws related to stealing are irrelevant to him; he feels certain that
he never steals from other person. However, the Talmud suggests that it
is not so simple to avoid stealing from others. The Talmud confronts us
with a surprising accusation – it states that most people stumble in the
area of stealing[1]!
How can this be the case? It seems that the reason most people feel that
they do not steal is because they have a very narrow definition of what it
means to steal. However, the Torah, in its Infinite wisdom, defines
stealing in a very different fashion. According to the Torah's
understanding, it is far easier to stumble in stealing than one would have
imagined.
In what way does our definition of stealing differ so drastically from
that of the Torah? We tend to look at stealing as blatantly taking
something away from someone else. Many people do not stumble in this form
of stealing. However, the Talmud sees stealing in much wider terms. It
sees stealing as including any unjustified way of depriving one's fellow
of what is rightfully his. Some examples of this are; using someone
else's item without his express permission; taking something as a
practical joke; taking the most inexpensive item, such as a ketchup packet
from a restaurant, or a towel from a hotel, without permission. In the
coming months we will discuss in detail the numerous aspects of the laws
related to stealing and we will hopefully develop a far more sophisticated
sense of respect for the property, money, and privacy of our fellow.
1. Bava Basra, 165a
Text Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen and Torah.org
Visit Rabbi Gefen's new blog at rabbiygefen.blogspot.com.
