Thursday, June 27, 2013

Accepting restitution for theft

Hi,

"One who steals a perutah's worth [about five cents at today's silver prices] from someone is as though he takes his life, as Proverbs 1:19 says, 'So are the ways of all who pursue material wealth; he takes the life of its owner.'

"Nonetheless, where the stolen item no longer exists, and the thief wishes to repent, and he comes independently to pay for the theft, the sages have enacted that we do not accept it from him. Rather, we aid him and forgive him, in order to bring penitents close to the straight path. The sages are not pleased with one who accepts payment for the theft."

(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Gezeilah va'Aveidah 1:13)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

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