The Prohibition of Stealing from a Minor and a Gentile

  1. The Torah forbids stealing. This prohibition applies also to stealing from
    a minor or a gentile if his ownership of the object was confirmed by the
    person from whom it was acquired. Accordingly, the Biblical prohibition
    would not apply to an object found by a minor or a gentile. But we are
    commanded to conduct ourselves in the ways of peace. Therefore, even to
    steal from them an object that they found is forbidden.

  2. It often happens that a cheder rebbe finds it necessary to take an object
    away from a student who is using it to be disruptive. Even though stealing
    from minors is forbidden and, indeed, the object may belong to the
    student’s father, it seems that the rebbe may confiscate it as long as he
    intends to return it, even after a long time. It is forbidden for him to
    take an object from a student and destroy it or to take it with no intention
    of returning it.

  3. The Torah forbids stealing from a gentile, even if it will not cause chilul
    Hashem. The stolen object of a gentile must not be used to establish a
    marital bond. If it is, the marriage is not valid.

  4. In a state whose laws do not distinguish between Jews and gentiles, it is
    forbidden to lie in filling out forms for the government, insurance
    companies, etc. in order to avoid paying what is due by law or to extract
    money by deceit.

  5. A merchant once confessed to Eliyahu Hanavi that he had deceived a gentile
    and cheated him by giving him less than he had paid for. With the money he
    had received in payment, he had bought an urn of oil, which subsequently
    fell and broke. Eliahu Hanavi said, Blessed is “Hamakom” (Hashem)
    who does not show favoritism, as it is written, “Do not oppress your
    companion and do not steal, etc.” (Tana Dvei Eliahu Rabba 15). From
    the above we learn that stealing from a gentile is included in the Torah
    prohibition of stealing.

Similar Posts