Exodus chapter Ch 22 v 3. A lesson in justice and returning to Hashem!

Shabbos insight Mishpatim:

Exodus chapter: Ch 22 v 3.

A lesson in justice and returning to Hashem!

 

 

The verse states:

“If the stolen article is found in his possession whether a bull, a donkey, or a lamb, live ones he shall pay twofold.”

I saw a brilliant insight brought down by Rav Menachem Schneersohn the late Rebbe of the Lubavitch community. He ties this twofold penalty to another penalty mentioned later in Deuteronomy by Moses.

Deuteronomy  Ch 19 v 19

"Then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you."

Summary

You see for justice to take effect the thief must not only return the item he stole, but must be put into a situation where his action has the same consequence as what his victim would or had suffered. In other words he must be made to suffer and endure the pain that his victim would have or did endure, only then will he fully be able to realise why his action was so wrong, and regret the evil he had done... a scary thought to contemplate when doing actions that may have a negative impact on another, a good deterrent to bear in mind, always thinking of the impact of your actions on the target person... :)

 

Have a Great Shabbos

 

Michael.