LEV345 We are forbidden to take anything that does not belong to us without permission from the owner. 1) The term ganov, which is referred to in this verse, applies to someone who secretly steals money or any article from another person (Chosen Mishpot 348:1). The following are some examples: a) Shoplifting b) Pickpocketing c) Using an item that someone asked you to watch for him when he did not give you explicit permission to use that item d) An employee covertly taking something from an employer; this applies even to items such as pencils and envelopes. 2) You are forbidden to steal even the smallest article from either a Jew or a non-Jew. (Choshen Mishpot 348:1) 3) You are forbidden to use someone else's possession without permission, even though you intend to return it. (ibid. 358:1; SMA, ibid.) 4) It is permissible to use someone's talis or tefilin without explicit permission (Orach Chayim 14:4). You may assume that the owner would consent to your fulfilling a mitzvah with his possessions. But you may do so only occasionally; not on a permanent basis. Moreover, you may only use his talis or tefilin in the same place where you found them. You must refold or rewind them when finished using them. When you are able to ask the owner permission, you are obligated to do so. When you know that someone does not want others to use his talis or tefilin, you are forbidden to do so even once. (Mishnah Brurah 14:13). 5) You are forbidden to take an article from someone as a practical joke or in order to make him suffer, even if you intend to return it. (Choshen Mishpot 348:1 and Ktzos Hachoshen, ibid.; Machaneh Yisroel 2:6). 6) you are forbidden to steal an article from someone even if you do so for his benefit. For example, you want to give someone a present or charity, and he refuses to accept it. You therefore plan to steal something from him in order that a Bais Din should obligate you to pay him double the value of the object you took. Even though you have good intentions, your action is forbidden. (Choshen Mishpot 348:1, and SMA; see Kesef Haksoshim, ibid.). Similarly, it is forbidden to steal someone's possession in order to teach them to be more careful with his belongings. (Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyahshuv). 7) You are forbidden to buy stolen goods. If a thief would know that he is unable to sell his stolen goods, he might not steal anymore. Similarly, it is forbidden to help someone steal (for example, to serve as a lookout, or to drive someone to the scene of the crime). (Choshen Mishpot 356:71). 8) if a person who offers to sell you something that might be stolen tells you that you must keep the article hidden, you are forbidden to buy it. (Choshen Mishpot 358:3). 9) If someone asks a locksmith to make a key, offering more money than usual and asking him to keep the matter secret, he is forbidden to make the key. Under such circumstances, it maybe suspected that the person asking for the new key intends to gain entry with it and steal. (SMA, Choshen Mishpot 356:3). 10) It is forbidden to reprint a book without permission from the author or his descendants, or the publisher when he has purchased the copyright. If someone illegally reprints a book, it is forbidden for anyone to buy it. (Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Kaniewsky Rabbi Shmuel Ehrenfeld, and Rabbi Shmuel Vozner in their approbations to the Shabsai Fankel edition of the Rambam). 11) If you expound an idea that you heard from someone else in your own name, it is similar to stealing (Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar; Mogen Avraham, O.C. 156; Nodah B'yehuda, vol. 2, Orach Chayim 20). Conversely, whoever quotes something in the name of the one who said it brings redemption to the world (Pirkei Avos 6:6). 12) A person who has an expense account from his place of employment must be careful not to waste money. 13) If a student in a yeshiva does not study diligently, he is stealing the money that donors contribute. 14) A child is forbidden to take money from his parents without their permission. (Bais Shlomo, p. 136). 15) If a person is in mortal danger and can save his life only by taking something without permission, he is permitted to do so on the condition that he intends to pay for what he takes. (Choshen Mishpot 359:4). 16) A person should punish his young children severely for stealing so that it should not become a habit. (Aruch Hashulchan, Choshen Mishpot 348:3). 17) Unnecessarily causing someone a loss of money is considered stealing. (Rabainu Yonah to Pirke Avos 1:1). 18) The Torah writes, "You shall not steal," in second person plural (in Hebrew). This is to teach us that if someone witnesses another person stealing and remain silent, he is also considered to have participated in the theft. (Ibn Ezra, on this verse). 19) Just as it is forbidden to steal money or property, so too it is forbidden to "steal" someone's opinion or feelings. Included in this prohibition are all actions or words that will cause someone to have a higher opinion of us or a greater feeling of gratitude toward us then we actually deserve. Some examples are: A) You may not insist that someone should eat with you when you are sure that he will refuse, because your insistence is merely an attempt to gain unearned gratitude (Choshen Mishpot 228:6). However, asking once or twice out of politeness is permissible (SMA, ibid.). B) You may not keep offering someone gifts when you know that he will refuse to accept them. (Choshen Mishpot, ibid). C) You should not do or say anything to someone that will make him assume that you have troubled yourself on his behalf when such is not the case. However, in situations when the person should have realized on his own that you did not exert yourself on his behalf, you need not notify him that he is in error if he assumes that you troubled yourself especially for him. (ibid).
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