• Not to defraud (Lev. 19:13)
• Not to do wrong in buying or selling (Lev. 25:14)
• Not to wrong the stranger in buying or selling (Ex. 22:20)
• Not to commit fraud in measuring (Lev. 19:35)
• To ensure that scales and weights are correct (Lev. 19:36)
• Not to possess inaccurate measures and weights (Deut. 25:13-14)
• Not to steal personal property (Lev. 19:11)
• To restore that which one took by robbery (Lev. 5:23)
• To adjudge a thief to pay compensation or in certain cases suffer death (Ex. 21:16; Ex. 21:37; Ex. 22:1)
• To return lost property (Deut. 22:1)
• Not to pretend not to have seen lost property, to avoid the obligation to return it (Deut. 22:3)
• That he who inflicts a bodily injury shall pay monetary compensation (Ex. 21:18-19)
Commentary:
Presumably most readers have a rudimentary understanding that theft has a broader meaning than simply swiping something that does not belong to us. As we can see from the commandments provided the principles associated with the commandments essentially mandate that we not only refrain from taking but also; behave honorably during transactions, properly pay remunerations when offending … and even remain diligent that property remains with its rightful owner.
Ultimately the Hebraic perspective understands that what people have in the way of sustenance/material strength is most often the result of G_D’s blessings upon them. Keeping in mind that one is not to curse what G_D has blessed raises the ethical bar to new heights. Theft under any circumstances is a serious matter and offensive to G_D. Moreover it must be pointed out that typically theft does not result in a static negative impact to a person or persons. The consequences of theft can easily create a spiraling effect wherein one negative impact leads to another and so on.
Let us also not forget that the proceeds of theft, though potentially viewed as a blessing by the thief, are in effect a curse. Ill begotten gains are tainted gains and in like fashion tend to have a spiraling negative effect as well. Ultimately theft is very bad business that has many negative consequences that may not be typically contemplated.
Sadly we cannot limit our discussion of theft to our traditional ideas surrounding the topic. For instance let us consider the manner in which our Hellenized governmental systems traditionally operate … tax and spend. When we look at the highest principle, being not to remove G_D’s blessing from people, do we really think the governmental systems operate equitably and fairly? Hmmm … just some food for thought because at some point in time it would be nice if the people forced the government to address the notion of legalized theft!
Naturally one could argue that the government is doing the will of the people … and this may assuredly be true. However what happens when 51% of the population decides that the other 49% support their own economic deficiencies? At such time … and even now … the law of the land … the will of the people … is obviously involved in the inequitable redistribution of blessings!
So let us not think that we are a society not plagued by theft … it is simply abounding all over the place.
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• Not to make a loan to an Israelite on interest (Lev. 25:37)
• Not to take part in any usurious transaction between borrower and lender, neither as a surety, nor as a witness, nor as a writer of the bond for them (Ex. 22:24)
• Not to borrow on interest because this would cause the lender to sin (Deut. 23:20)
• Not to demand from a poor man repayment of his debt, when the creditor knows that he cannot pay, nor press him (Ex. 22:24)
• Not to exact a pledge from a debtor by force (Deut. 24:10)
• Not to take a pledge from a widow (Deut. 24:17)
• Not to keep the pledge from its owner at the time when he needs it (Deut. 24:12)
• To return a pledge to its owner (Deut. 24:13)
• Not to take in pledge utensils used in preparing food (Deut. 24:6)
• To exact the debt of an alien (Deut. 15:3)
• To lend to an alien at interest (Deut. 23:21)
Commentary:
Interestingly enough it would seem that G_D’s idea of fair and equitable lending is most assuredly not aligned with our modern banking system. In fact it would appear that lending from G_D’s eyes is in effect a necessary responsibility to some extent within his community Israel.
Naturally of course we are talking about G_D’s laws and as such it should assuredly be presumed that lending/borrowing transactions amongst believers is done so with the firm understanding that the loan repayment will be made good … the equity dynamic in borrowing/lending swings both ways.
But we are most certainly so far removed from this type of base system … even so within communities of believers. What does this tell us? Was G_D not aware that our entire system would be taken over by financial institutions? Hmmm!
Critical to note herein is that G_D’s model really does not have a “banking system component” does it? Just like he deals with us … the deal between borrower and lender is a personal deal! It would seem that G_D would not expect us to contemplate lending or borrowing from someone that we do not know! Hmmm!
And let us once again revisit our Hellenized system … and its financial/banking system component … a system that appears not to be something which G_D pondered or wanted in place! Consequently what can we say about the wonderful financial and banking systems of the great Hellenized societies? For starters we can say that they are of this world (olam hazeh) … we can state that they are used to maintain control around the globe … we can say that they have resulted in the gross leveraging of the vast majority of Western society … both believer and non-believer … we can say that they have fostered a great dependency using the carrot of material acquisition as it’s bait … we can say that the people have taken the bait hook-line-sinker … we can say that amazingly the system survives the onslaught of corruption, mismanagement and failure while providing huge windfalls to a select group of people on the planet … we can say that the same people elected to protect our interests seem to be useless in implementing necessary changes!
Hopefully it is not difficult to realize that the banking/financial systems in place are part of the broad delusion that promises the pursuit of happiness while in all practical terms reduces the borrower to financial slavery. Is this really a surprise?
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• Not to delay payment of a hired man's wages (Lev. 19:13)
• To pay wages to the hired man at the due time (Deut. 24:15)
• That the hired laborer shall be permitted to eat of the produce he is reaping (Deut. 23:25-26)
• That the hired laborer shall not take more than he can eat (Deut. 23:25)
• That a hired laborer shall not eat produce that is not being harvested (Deut. 23:26)
Commentary:
The commandments dealing with fair wages should come as no surprise to anyone … nor should the association of these commandments to the root commandment not to steal represent a stretch.
It would seem that there would be little to ponder beyond the literal however let us consider for a moment the amount of deviation from these commandments that takes place within our society. How often do contractors take advantage of people hiring them for work? It would seem obvious that we have significant problems with contractors finishing work … performing quality work … over charging and taking advantage of the elderly and the desperate!
Conversely how often do persons engaging contractors also fall way short of these commandments? People often string contractors along with extended payments … people often bid contractors down to almost zero profit while taking advantage of poor economic conditions … and so on.
Let us just think for a moment about these commandments in a bit more detail the next time we conduct business and make sure that we are being equitable … that we are paying enough for a contractor to make a livelihood … or that we as contractors really provide a quality service for a reasonable rate.
The commandments herein may be few in number but they assuredly cover a broad range of circumstances … if we simply think about them from G_D’s point of view.
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• To adjudicate cases of inheritances (Num. 27:8-11)
• Not to deny falsely another's property rights (Lev. 19:11)
• Not to swear falsely in denial of another's property rights (Lev. 19:11)
• That houses sold within a walled city may be redeemed within a year (Lev. 25:29)
Commentary:
Once again … no real surprises herein but we should not lose sight of how important these few commandments are in terms of Israel, the covenant and the land.
Although few of us actually live within “the land of Israel” we should not discount the fact that there is a special bond that most families have with their homesteads … even outside of Israel. Frankly the gift of a homestead has traditionally (at least until our modern era) been viewed in familial terms as a means of independence and survival since in days gone by most properties produced food and were utilized in some form as a means of livelihood.
When we look at the person to land dynamic we should realize how important the idea of possession really is in terms of inheritance. Although the entire Earth is G_D’s footstool, he has promised through the eternal covenant that those who are his shall inherit the land. As such the land (anywhere upon the Earth) serves to memorialize this promise.
These commandments subsequently mandate that we pay the utmost care with respects to the property rights of neighbors, et. al. In an even broader perspective these commandments reveal to us what a blessing and responsibility it is to be provided stewardship rights over G_D’s created Earth!
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• To adjudicate other cases between a plaintiff and a defendant (Ex. 22:8)
• To adjudicate cases of purchase and sale (Lev. 25:14)
• To judge cases of liability of a paid depositary (Ex. 22:9)
• To adjudicate cases of loss for which a gratuitous borrower is liable (Ex. 22:13-14)
• To judge cases of damage caused by an uncovered pit (Ex. 21:33-34)
• To adjudicate cases of damage caused by fire (Ex. 22:5)
• To judge cases of injuries caused by beasts (Ex. 21:35-36)
• To adjudicate cases of damage caused by trespass of cattle (Ex. 22:4)
• To adjudicate cases of damage caused by a gratuitous depositary (Ex. 22:6-7)
Commentary:
Despite the brevity of commandments provided respective to such an important topic (the last within the commandments directly related to thou shall not steal), we should hopefully understand that the scope of these same commandments is quite broad and the principles revealed herein cover the gamut of property dispute issues which might arise. Please note that the specifics of how these disputes would be adjudicated are predicated upon other Torah commandments … in essence these commands hang upon the ordinances and principles related but not limited to: murder, theft, fair lending, real estate, etc.
This intertwining of Torah commandments, so readily seen within these specific “theft through property disputes” is a virtual microcosm of how Torah works and is to be applied in macro terms. However as one could surmise the only way for this system of justice to properly work for Israel is if the weightier commands related to knowing Torah and mandating that judges be versed in Torah were adhered too! Subsequently the intertwining of Torah … threads even deeper and deeper!
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Fraud/Theft
Fair Lending
Wages
Real Estate
Property Disputes
Commentary:
As we ponder the nature (both the literal and far reaching principle) of the commandments associated with “thou shall not steal”, we should not lose sight of the broad sweeping implications relative to conducting general commerce. It should be readily seen how these commands, when properly grouped together, cover the spectrum of basic fair practices in trade, lending, labor relations, and property management. Collectively we could sum up these commands as the “commercial behavior code” and intuitively the root of fair commerce practices is the mandate not to cheat or create inequitable scenarios.
But naturally our G_D’s standards move beyond the basics and mandate that we take the steps to insure that equity is maintained … even if we are not a party to specific events. The commands go even further indeed and we should see how G_D reveals that what he desires is that no blessing be lost, taken or minimized. It is this Hebraic perspective which really encapsulates the intent of the commandments. A perspective which views the property and sustenance of another individual as a provisioning from G_D. Essentially then cheating a person is paramount to working against G_D’s plan for that person.
Speaking of commerce … G_D’s commandments point towards a system predicated upon personal: interaction, responsibility and accountability wherein Torah serves as the source of order as to how we conduct business and treat the sustenance of others and the community. G_D’s system seems to be quite a bit different from our modern day Hellenized banking/financial/commerce framework.
Imagine asking a financially stable member of your congregation for a short term loan to tide you over difficult times … with zero interest?
Imagine telling your banking lender that you are unable to make payments this month because of unforeseen costs … and that they are obligated to await your capability to pay?
Imagine taking in that lost pet without an identifying collar and caring for that animal while hunting down the owner … and not having the luxury of passing by and saying oh that poor lost animal?
Obviously the questions seem quite ludicrous to us modern day believers … but perhaps the questions are not the root of the problem … perhaps the financial/commerce system is the root of the problem? Perhaps how we view commerce is the problem?
It would seem apparent to the undiscerning that G_D simply did not anticipate the evolution of: national, multi-national, and global banking/financial/commerce system entities. Consequently these same undiscerning individuals would point to a set of commandments herein and claim they were insufficient … outdated and irrelevant for modern society.
But what if G_D planned for a commerce system that was predicated upon relationship, trust and personal integrity as defined by his Torah? What if G_D’s intent was to drive the commerce system's equity dynamic through knowledge and fear of him? What if G_D really did intend for our commerce system to be driven by the motto: “in G_D we trust”? Is this Hebraic perspective simply far too idealistic and unachievable? Not according to G_D’s commandments!
Conversely we have a commerce system that trusts not in G_D but in its own wisdom. We have a commerce system that has no conformance to G_D’s commandments and has successfully removed the concepts of personal relationship from the dynamic. We have banking/financial institutions which: have no defined character, are continually wrought with corruption and mismanagement, seek to leverage not the needs of the people but the desires of the people while playing a high risk game of banking on potential equity!
Oh yes indeed … the system is definitely at work and periodically when the system fails what is the result? Another system of control … government … steps in and makes liquid the failed system on the backs of the citizens. It is a system wherein only the proponents and brokers of the system really ever benefit greatly while the general citizens do little more than trade a pittance of the overall equity stake within the system.
It is a system designed to provide the allusion of independence and self-sufficiency. It is a system designed to ensnare people based upon a desire to “achieve one's dreams of financial security and happiness”. It is a system designed to take away people's dependency upon G_D by making the people the caretakers of their own destiny! It is a system of delusion and it is fueled by personal desire. It naturally is a financial system that reflects the broader system of Hellenism which promotes the greater Greek mantra of man is the center of the universe! It is a system that has crashed in the past and will crash yet again! Instead of discerning this and moving back towards a system promoted by G_D … the general response of olam hazeh is pretty simple … add more controls and globalize the system!
Ultimately man cannot serve both G_D and mammon … it would seem we have a pretty good idea what the system is designed to serve!
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