Teaching Team
Heavy Matters: Stealing
"While you preach against stealing, do you steal?" Romans 2:21
Not many of us would consider ourselves thieves--but perhaps there is an admonishment in Jewish wisdom that will guard our lives from sin, sharpen us, establish our testimonies, and build his kingdom.
One may not buy wool, milk or kids from shepherds. Nor may one buy wood or fruits from the watchman of orchards.... Mishnah, Bava Kamma 10:9
"Common sense lies behind this ancient ruling. There is no way you can know for certain that the shepherds or watchmen have stolen items from their employers, but common sense suggests that if they are offering for sale precisely those items they are paid to guard, they have probably acquired them illegally." (R" Telushkin, The Book of Jewish Values)
There are many areas in our modern world to which we who teach "do not steal" can be held liable. When considering the weightier matters of Torah, we realize that our integrity is destroyed by small inconsistent choices. Let us sharpen our resolve to be careful in this area of our lives.
Culpable Through Kindness
In our daily lives, we encounter clerks and service workers as we buy a cup of coffee, pay our bills, or have our bathrooms remolded. The individuals servicing our needs can offer us discounts, free items, and services at--what seems to--be their discretion. In these instances it is easy to assume that we are receiving a blessing, a gift, or a kind gesture. But perhaps we are not. Could it be that we are companions, or culprits in the sin of stealing?
Perhaps we are dealing with an employee that is disgruntled or who is unaware of the negative effects his employer will face through giving merchandise away or at an unauthorized discount. Or maybe worse, they are "buttering" us up with a discount or a free item so that we will not inform a manager of their behavior or ethic. In these instances we are taking something that was not the right of the giver to give; and on some ethical level, that is stealing those goods or services from the owner.
Prior to receiving a free or discounted item perhaps we can ask some questions.
- Is that yours to give away? I want to make sure I am not taking something inappropriately.
- I appreciate the offer, but do you have the authority to offer such a discount?
- That is very kind of you, I would like to thank your manager and tell them of your kindness--what is their name?
If you sense that there is some stumbling or hesitancy on their part, then offer to pay full price or forgo the purchase.
Culpable Through Ignorance
In the age of e-bay, craigslist, etc., we are faced with new difficulties in our attempts to maintain high moral and ethical behavior. Determining whether the items that we are buying, or the services that we are receiving, are legit can become increasingly difficult. However, it is our responsibility to find out. We could be buying stolen goods. Are we accomplices in the crime? According to this Proverb we are,
He who shares with a thief is the enemy of his soul... (Proverbs 29:24).
Jewish commentaries concur that this proverb speaks against buying items that were stolen. In fact Vayikra Rabba 6:2 tells of a ruler that more harshly punished the buyers of stolen goods than those that stole the goods. (The idea is that if the supply is not there, then there will be no thief's.)
Prior to purchasing we should use common sense and try to figure out the history of items or ask the following questions.
- What is the history item? Was this item always yours?
- How did you get this item? Where did you get it?
- If you are business of reselling items how did you acquire it?
If you feel that something is not 100% "kosher" forgo the purchase no matter the perceived deal or savings. It will not be worth the savings in the end.
Building on this let us consider other areas where we can easily fall short and at the end of the day be guilty of stealing.
Culpable Through Innocence
What about time? Can time be stolen? You bet it can. Do we give our employers 100% of the time for which they have paid us? In the age of Facebook, internet, e-mailing, Twittering, etc., it is easy to steal time from our employers. As believers this is an area in which we can show discipline that can really make us shine--or better yet, let Yeshua shine in us! Most of the people that we work with are not guarded in these areas. We need to be disciplined with all of these tools, and refrain from engaging in these time consuming and none work related activities.
We can make up time lost on a personal call by staying at the office a few additional minutes. We a can protect our time and integrity by not getting on the internet for personal reasons. It is probably best to participate in these activities within defined break times.
Do You Steal?
For those of us in the Torah movement it is easy to get a sense of righteousness through our knowledge and exterior observances. But at the end of the day everything that we claim to be (or present ourselves as) can be destroyed through our lack of concern for the weightier matters of the Torah.
As disciples of Yeshua let us be scrupulous in every area of Torah as we are able. Let us lead holy and godly lives. Let us reflect and consider Paul's penetrating question, "While you preach against stealing, do you steal?"
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Visitor Feedback:
May God help us to be diligent workers at our places of employment! I really struggle in this area!
aree | October 21, 2009 6:21 AM
This is a great post and one that we indeed need to keep in mind when dealing with people. There is also a deeper level to think about this. We can steal people's intergrity, honor, and respect in so many different ways. That may need a blog post all it's own...unfortunately.
Bill Beyer | October 21, 2009 8:04 AM
I heard from one of my Torah teachers that it is considered stealing even pause to daven (recite set time prayers) during work hours. Seems like the commandment extends so far beyond the shoplifting or robbery that we typically think of .
Jessie | October 21, 2009 8:25 AM
Additionally,
G-d has given each one of us a unique and beautiful message for the world. If we do not work on ourselves and refine ourselves spiritually - in order to become a proper vessel for this Divine light to flow through we are "stealing" this unique message of Torah from the world.
Torah study and passing on your thoughts to other prevents this type of "stealing"
The Lubavicher Rebbe says that each one of us is a Rabbi because we all have something to teach somebody.
Be careful not to "steal" this from the world.
Baruchot ~
Shimon Aaron | October 27, 2009 3:31 PM