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Lo Tignov - Do not steal!?

24/01/2022 09:27:59 AM

Jan24

Everybody knows the Ten Commandments, right? Everybody translates Lo Tignov as "Do not steal," right??

The fact of the matter is that Lo Tignov does mean do not steal, but not in the way we understand. The prohibition of stealing  monetary things comes from the restatement of Lo Tignov in Parshat Kedoshim, where the plural Lo Tignovu means "You shall not steal," referring to monetary things.

In the Ten Commandments of tomorrow's Parsha, Lo Tignov really means, "you shall not steal people," meaning, you shall not kidnap; you shall not take hostages.

In his commentary, Rashi explains all this succinctly:

"B'Gonev Nefashot Ha'Katuv M'daber.  Lo Tignovu (Lev. 19:11) B'Gonev Mamon - Our text deals with kidnapping people. In Parshat Kedoshim, the same Hebrew words deal with stealing money."

Rashi continues to elaborate, based on earlier sources, that the previous commandments of Thou Shalt not murder and Thou shalt not commit adultery are considered capital cases in Jewish law. Similarly, since Lo Tignov immediately follows those two, it must also be a capital case, which means kidnapping. Stealing money, while prohibited, results in a monetary case and not a capital one.

How interesting if not ironic that we read the prohibition of kidnapping and its capital consequences this Shabbat, almost a week after four Jews were taken hostage, and the terrorist paid dearly for his actions with loss of life. While the Mitzvot in the Torah are directed to Jews only, the surrealism of last week's events and this Mitzvah are noteworthy.

During Shabbat services this past weekend, we will celebrate Shabbat in solidarity with Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville, Texas and its Rabbi - Charlie Cytron-Walker. My commentaries and some extra prayers will demonstrate the principle of "Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh La'Zeh - All Jews are responsible for each other and bound to each other.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Fri, 29 March 2024 19 Adar II 5784