Questions tagged [gezel-stealing]
stealing, theft, robbery, you name it
186
questions
4
votes
1
answer
314
views
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 ...
- 734
0
votes
0
answers
68
views
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 ...
- 1,376
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 ...
- 7,047
3
votes
0
answers
72
views
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/...
- 7,047
3
votes
2
answers
96
views
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 ...
- 3,197
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 ...
- 7,047
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 ...
- 263
1
vote
1
answer
78
views
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?
- 601
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 ...
- 1,586
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?
- 2,049
3
votes
1
answer
152
views
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 ...
- 133
1
vote
0
answers
57
views
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 ...
- 89
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 ...
- 20.6k
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?
- 454
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 ...
- 571
1
vote
0
answers
83
views
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 ...
- 45
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 ...
- 571
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 ...
- 309
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 ...
- 139k
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 ...
- 20.6k
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 (...
- 613
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 ...
- 901
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: ...
- 20.6k
-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 ...
user24573
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 ...
- 13.6k
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 ...
- 423
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 ...
- 20.6k
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 ...
- 1,539
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?
...
- 5,310
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 ...
- 7,723
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 ...
- 3,961
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 ...
- 3,463
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....
- 18.8k
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 ...
- 1,096
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 523
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 ...
- 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.
- 25.7k
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' ...
- 34.1k
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 ...
- 315
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)
...
- 56.4k
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 ...
- 70k
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, ...
- 1,379
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,...
- 25.7k
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 ...
- 1,931
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, ...
- 1,379
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 ...
- 1,379
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 ...
- 1,379
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 ...
- 1,379