Questions tagged [gezel-stealing]

stealing, theft, robbery, you name it

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Colonialism and Halacha

In halacha, is it considered “stealing” for a nation to colonize another piece of land if that piece of land doesn’t have a system of property rights. For example, the Americans colonizing the ...
Kirk's user avatar
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Do the halakhot relating to stealing apply to people’s chokhmah / daas too?

Shalom. I have been wondering if it is considered theft / stealing / robbery if one tries to acquire another’s chokhmah / daas without being honest about what one is doing. E.g. Asking questions with ...
Tom W's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
67 views

Ethics in video games: stealing

I'd like to ask a few questions on ethics in video games, starting with: Is it allowed to steal from other players in an online video game? To keep it simple, stick to games that specifically enable ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
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Scanning pages of an out of print sefer for a friend [closed]

If someone is finding it hard to get hold of an out of print sefer, and it is prohibitively expensive to get it on a special order, would their friend, who owns the sefer, be allowed to scan the pages/...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
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Can one be exempt from paying for a harm that turned out to be a gain?

Let’s say Reuven’s ox gets injured by Shimon’s ox three times, and altogether the damage caused the ox to go down in value by 100 dollars, and then it injured it a forth time, causing it to go down in ...
שלום's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
53 views

Repair man lied for you to his company to help you with warranty

Imagine a washing machine (etc) repair man comes round to fix it on a warranty claim. When they find out what it is, it turns out to be something that's not covered on warranty. Later you find out ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
408 views

Clarification on quotation sources around Sanhedrin 57a

Much like in the case of these questions, I've run into some troublesome reading in Talmudic and other Jewish literature: Missionary gave me these Talmudic quotes; Does it prove that Goyim are viewed ...
ANH's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Is it gezel to watch a copyrighted video for free? [duplicate]

Would it halachically be considered geneivah if I watch a copyrighted video for free, for example, on YouTube?
Raphael Chilungu's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
124 views

How can Chachamim put price tags on mitzvot?

The Gemera in Chullin 87a (and see Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 382:1) that one who steals another persons mitzvah must give the person from who he stole 10 zehuvim. My question is, how can Chachmim ...
Avishai Tebeka's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
58 views

Using a shtender without permission?

In many shuls people bring their private shtenders to use during davening or learning. Is it permissible to use someone's shtender in their absence without asking permission first?
Yoreinu's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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What can a husband do halachically if his wife steals money from him?

Suppose a wife takes a significant amount of money from her husband without his knowledge. Or perhaps, she transfers an asset into her name, without him knowing. Or in another case, she misleads him ...
Curious1's user avatar
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HALACHICALY Is it ok to download YouTube videos? [duplicate]

This question has confounded me for some time. On the one hand, from the research I've done, it's definitely against the terms of service which you agree to. On the other, everything I've read on the ...
L.S. Elias's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
263 views

Questions on a story about Hillel

It is always possible to pick on even the most inspirational stories, but hopefully in doing so we end up learning something. The Talmud relates this story: Hillel the Elder worked every day to earn ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
231 views

What halachic issues are involved in using a recruiter to poach a currently employed employee?

What halachic issues are involved in permitting or forbidding the use of a recruiter that will approach currently employed employees to attempt to poach them for a rival business?
DavidM's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
97 views

Downloading a Currently Public Resource

Is it permissible to download a resource that is currently available publicly and freely from the internet without permission from the one who posted it and/or the one who hosts the website? For ...
treenuts15's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
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Am I allowed to print individual sheets or full Seforim from copyright Seforim found online?

"if someone posted a copyrighted book accessible online, what does halacha say about printing it? I'm worried about Gezeilah on the one hand, but perhaps since there is no loss to the owner it ...
Chaim L.'s user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
114 views

Digital piracy of difficult to acquire products

The following discusses copying an item that is being sold by its creator (https://torah.org/learning/honesty-class64/) Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ztl said that it’s not permitted to copy any item that is ...
treenuts15's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
151 views

Is cheating on High School tests גניבת ממון?

It's very well known today, especially from R' Moshe's ruling, that cheating on college tests is גניבת ממון. However he says High School cheating, although forbidden, is not גניבת ממון. How does this ...
user22192's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
115 views

Tevila in Keilim Mikva without permission

Recently was at a Keilim Mikva which had a sign "No Tevila allowed for outside utensils. Only utensils purchased at this store may be Toiveled here". I was wondering if one goes ahead and ...
Gershon Gold's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
287 views

Should we accept donations of tainted money?

A lot has been written on whether donations of tainted money should be accepted. The money is tainted either because it is ill-gotten or because the donor is ethically challenged (e.g., sexual ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
218 views

How to understand "If a thief steals from a friend and modifies the object..."

In an episode of "Shtisel" there is a scene where a Rabbi quizzes a Yeshiva applicant about the halacha (I think he says it is in Eruvin) "If a thief steals from a friend and modifies (...
Mark Fischler's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
97 views

Taking advantage of cultural customs: Stealing or not?

In Persian culture, there is a principle named taarof in which if something is being offered to you, you must decline it, even if you want it. The giver will ask again if you would like the object but ...
yogazefish's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does everybody steal?

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: ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
159 views

Which Rav was this?

I heard a rabbi tell a famous true story of a certain other rabbi. A black man broke into his house in the middle of the night and demanded at gunpoint all of the rabbi’s money/valuables. The rabbi ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
488 views

Is viewing pirated media permitted?

Partially inspired by this question, though substantively different (I hope). There are many sites on the internet which contain pirated media (eg tv shows, movies) those sites allow anyone to view ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

Is using a Youtube adblocker allowed? [duplicate]

I always avoid looking at ads on youtube, so when I see a countdown for an ad, I mute the video and scroll away so I avoid looking at or listening to something forbidden. So I learned that one can ...
OB7DEV's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
176 views

On making restitution for stolen objects

A person steals a beam to build a house. The Torah says: Dismantle the house and give the beam back to its owner: When one has sinned, he realizes his guilt and restores what he got through robbery ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
83 views

According to Ramban, why is גזל part of the ז מצות בני נח?

One of the ז מצות בני נח is דינים. According to the Ramban on parshat vayishlach (34:13) the laws that were counted [as one] of the seven commandments that the Children of Noach were commanded is ...
Dani's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
73 views

The Heinz Dilemma in Halacha [duplicate]

A famous Kohlberg dilemma goes something like this: Heinz’s wife is dying and there’s a drug that may be able to save her. Jack cannot afford the drug. Can Heinz steal the drug to treat his wife? ...
LN6595's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
104 views

Is it forbidden to buy bad merchandise in order to get a refund?

The background: I bought neodymium magnets from China off of ebay. The magnets were NOT neodymium and the item was not as good as I expected. This is a common Chinese practice on ebay. The Chinese ...
Clint Eastwood's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
53 views

is it theft to enter shul with contraband?

In this answer, the image below appears. Ignoring the issue of the propriety of "non-kosher" phones, is the sign correct that it can ban entry with something not used in the shul, and that entry with ...
Ze'ev misses Monica's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
159 views

Secular law vs. Halacha: is this theft?

In a case where secular law is at odds with Halacha, and one goes to a secular court to claim that which he is entitled to in secular law but not by Halacha, I know that he is transgressing chilul ...
Mordechai's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
53 views

Confusing Gzeilah and Gneivah in the Gemara (Bava Qama 96b)

I wonder if someone can help me with a gemara question? I’m revising the ninth perek of Bava Qama and on 96b the gemara explains a passage in the mishna in a way that strikes me as totally incongruous....
Shimon bM's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does 'thou shalt not steal' refer to general theft or specifically to kidnapping?

I admit that I sometimes just can't keep my fingers to myself. I felt thirsty so I took a refreshing ginger ale from my neighbour's freezer. I typed into Google 'thou shall not steal' after realizing ...
Ilja's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
87 views

According to the opinions that playing cards is not stealing, would cheating in the game be considered stealing?

While most halachic authorities consider gambling and card games to be stealing, according to the opinion(s) that permit it, would cheating in the game qualify as stealing? Since cheating is a ...
Fei23's user avatar
  • 1,737
-2 votes
1 answer
182 views

Is not returning equipment to non-Jews considered theft?

If a non-Jew gave you equipment to use for a job, after the job is complete, is not returning the equipment considered theft or simply not returning a lost item? After the fact, is returning it ...
Fei23's user avatar
  • 1,737
4 votes
1 answer
198 views

Stealing an idol-worshipper's only food to save yourself

In a desert where there is no water, can one take (steal) water from an idol worshipper causing him to very likely die, to be able to stay alive? I know the answer when one has no personal use for ...
interested's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
126 views

Is taking public property or abandoned belongings considered stealing?

Let's say a person moves out and leaves some belongings (for instance food, books, other personal items) for public consumption - be it with or without a note that it is for free (why would anyone put ...
Ilja's user avatar
  • 1,096
0 votes
1 answer
104 views

Is armed bank robbery considered Gezel or Gnevah?

Halachicly, Is armed bank robbery, in working hours, where the robbers wear masks and are unidentified, considered Gezel or Gnevah? I'm confused with Rambam's definitions in Hilchos Gnevah 1.
Al Berko's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
44 views

Why would one who redeems someone else's firstborn donkey be able to keep it, if he's effectively forcing the owner into a sale?

Bechoros 11a rules that one may redeem someone else's firstborn donkey on their behalf. The Gemara asks: If someone were to do this, who gets to keep the donkey? Now, there's a dispute between R' ...
DonielF's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
84 views

Is murder allowed for someone who is stealing?

Under how I have interpreted United States laws I believe murder is allowed if someone is stealing in certain circumstances. It is used as an act of protection and self-defense. Is this allowed ...
William's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
1k views

A female thief is not sold to make restitution -- so what happens instead?

The mishna in Sotah 3:8 says, in a list of differences in halacha between men and women: A man is sold for his theft [i.e., to repay it], a woman is not sold for her theft. (Sefaria translation) ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
202 views

Who is responsible for accidental theft caused by a false claim?

There's a public pantry in one's office that has a shared refrigerator. Someone opens the fridge and sees a container of milk that is usually not there. He asks a co-worker if he can use it and he ...
DanF's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
91 views

Is selling something at a large profit ona'ah (wronging another)?

What would sources say about the following scenario: let’s say you buy a pen for about $20 and two erasers for $5 each, equaling $30 in total. The person who bought these things sells them for $40, ...
Anonymous111122's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
48 views

Gezel in Rabbinical regulations

In the Laws of Shabbos there are multiple layers of Rabbinical prohibitions built one on top of others to prevent possible transgression of Shabbos, for example, Muktze, or playing musical instruments,...
Al Berko's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
102 views

Who’s stealing from whom?

Reuven is head of an institution and is paid by the board for specific hours of work for the members. Reuven is late every day by 15 minutes. The members complain to the board that Reuven gives 15 ...
Daniel Ross's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
55 views

Is using a parent's hidden object stealing?

Let’s say a mom has food hidden in her makeup kit in her bedroom and her son finds it and eats it. I’ve heard somewhere that kids are allowed to use various things in the home of their parents. So, ...
Anonymous111122's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
49 views

Copying and Pasting

I want to make a video about how the Zohar knew the Earth was round and had many other information about the Earth they could of never known. According to sources, would copying the verses of the ...
Anonymous111122's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
136 views

Getting something that requires you to be over 18 when you’re not

Are there any sources that would constitute the following as stealing/gezel: If one buys a product that the website requires one to be 18 years or older to purchase and is underage? So let’s say you ...
Anonymous111122's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
114 views

Switching movies in a Movie Theater

Are there any sources that would constitute the following as gezel/stealing: If you purchase a movie ticket to let’s say Spider-Man and you go to watch Spongebob, and both movie tickets are the same ...
Anonymous111122's user avatar