I remember reading a quote, attributed to the Talmud, that essentially says "everybody steals". I doubt it's genuine, and if it is, it's probably heavily qualified, but I thought I'd ask: Does this quote ring a bell?
asked Jan 22, 2021 at 13:00
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When a question like this shows up in HNQ, it doesn't exactly work to dispel certain negative stereotypes about Jews.– nick012000Jan 22, 2021 at 23:15
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@nick012000 -- Why? The Talmud is making general statements about human nature, not about Jews in particular, and obviously does not approve of these behaviors.– Maurice MizrahiJan 24, 2021 at 0:13
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Sometimes statements about human nature can be seen to reveal more about the person saying them than humanity in general.– nick012000Jan 24, 2021 at 7:47
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1 Answer
In Baba Batra 165a :
אמר רב יהודה אמר רב רוב בגזל ומיעוט בעריות והכל בלשון הרע
Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: The majority of people succumb to sin with regard to robbery, and a minority of people succumb to sin with regard to sexual matters, and everyone succumbs to sin with regard to malicious speech.
But Rashbam writes:
רוב בגזל - רוב בני אדם חשודין על הגזל כעין גזל שמורין להתירא במשא ובמתן לעכב איש מריוח הראוי לו לחבירו:
That is, the majority is suspected about stealing when they thinks it's their due, when they are teaching to themselves that's it is ok, as in business.
