EXOD626 (Continued from [[EXOD622]] Exodus 22:1 bloodguilt AMJV 119) However, this principle of self-defense and the right to kill an intruder are predicated on the assumption that the thief is indeed a potential and likely murderer and will kill the inhabitants if confronted. What happens when the homeowner knows that the thief is not at all interested in confrontation and has absolutely no desire to harm the inhabitants, but only wants to steal, and will run out of the house if someone wakes up? The continuation of the Torah in the next verse speaks of the situation. It says that if "the sun shines" on the homeowner and he then kills the intruder, then the homeowner is guilty of murder. What does the sun shining signify? The Talmud discusses the subject by framing the question: "Does the sun only shine on the homeowner? It shines on everyone!" Sanhedrin 72a. It answers that the phrase about the sun shining means that it is "as clear as day" to the homeowner. What is so clear? If it is evident that the thief will not kill or harm the people in the house, then the owner who pulls out a gun and kills the thief is indeed guilty of murder. Therefore, use of a gun or any weapon to harm or kill the intruder must be justified. Similarly, the Midrash says that the sun is the symbol of warmth and peace. Thus, if the sun is shining and it is clear that the thief is no threat to life, it is forbidden to kill that thief, and the resident of the home who does so is considered a murderer. Midrash, Mechilta, Nezikin 6