Theft - Robbery, What is the Difference?
The Obligation to protect other people's belongings
The prohibition of theft
For Noahides, there is no difference between geneivah - theft and gezelah - robbery.
The difference between the two is that the first is done in secret and the other in public, with or without violence.
An example of theft is someone who takes an apple from a neighbor's yard without permission.
An example of robbery is someone taking someone's bag by force.
It is important for Noahides to know that there is no set minimum amount for the prohibition of theft. Even if a Noahide stole the smallest amount of money that e person would be concerned about, he is quilty of the theft.
But if it is such a small item that no one would mind (such as a sliver of wood) it is not considered as having any monetary value – such a thing is permissible and there is no prohibition of theft involved.
What is of value to you is all the more valuable to your neighbor.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code by rabbi Moshe Weiner
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