How Could a Religious Person Commit a Crime?

It's so sad that a rabbi of 200 years ago mocked the man who declared his loyalty to the Torah commandment (rabbis are not exempt). The rabbi was not so much mocking Yossel as mocking the Torah and its author, God. Reply

I want to clarify things a bit. Rabbi Freeman is referring, as I see it, to the fact that both religious and non-religious Jews, are in possession of a G-dly soul, alongside an animalistic soul.
Any one of us can be led to do good deeds, or misled to do evil ones. It depends on the choices we make, and our awareness of the interplay of those two souls within us.
The religiosity, or secularity, of the person concerned is unimportant, at least in this context.
See Sefer Tanya. Reply

If you put a quarter in a parking meter, came back and saw that your time had expired and there was no ticket on your windshield, would you drive off without placing another quarter in the slot? I suppose that this would be a theft from the community. When we discuss the law or Torah, we are bound by the restrictions of the words we use and the meanings we attribute to these words. Pikuach Nefesh covers a large area, yet we are forced to shoot at our enemy during wartime. We are allowed to defend our own lives when threatened with death. We cannot know, for sure, how we will react in any given situation and so we maybe should not be quick to judge others unless we have walked in their shoes. Reply

The article states that the man knows the difference between right and wrong (by the most minimal standard, not insane) and is well-versed in Torah, which makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. However, the title asks an entirely different question, claiming that he's religious. The answer lies in understanding that the article is telling it like it is but the summary title is confused. The answer as to how a sane man, or a minimally sane man, who has lots of Torah knowledge can disregard it is that he's not religious. That is, he doesn't fear or possibly believe in God. So he knows Torah. Criminals are very clever. Just bad. I don't actually see the question. There's no contradiction, unless one adds the non sequitur that knowing a lot and being minimally sane makes one religious. Nonsense. Reply

Shame shame on any Jew that takes money and never pays it back. Makes all Jews look bad. Shame and any one can tell a story. Reply

high adminsitrative official theft such wisdom does not explore what really happened.

yes the money was embezzled. this money was taken over to Israel and a hospital was built and in that hospital many people were healed.

the embezzler was frustrated with the way the synagogue worked. so much waste on administration, meetings - and arguments as to where and how the money should be spent.

those that thought the money was taken for himself alone - were reflecting their own light - the man well versed in Torah served well, and applied all the correct principles of avoiding the bread of shame - look to your own process and decide what is the right thing to do. Finding a wallet is a good story but not relevant to the process of thought that went through the mind and heart of the great embezzler. - he did not take the money and buy a private yacht now - did he?? Reply

Problem is not the sinning, but admitting it! The ultimate problem is not how religious Jews sin, but how they have a problem admitting that they, or others they supervise have done something wrong. This is a very serious problem in the frum community, and I need say nothing more, as those that are aware of this, know exactly what I am talking about. There is no sin for which one cannot repent, however self justification and rationalization lead straight to the other side. Reply

It is wrong to steal. We resolve not to steal. And he who steals loses the trust of the community and of his employer and he must return what he stole.

But the rest of us who are fortunate not to have been tempted beyond our power should not go "cluck cluck" and claim to be so righteous. We may give thanks to Gd for protecting us from temptation. We had best say, "There but for the grace of Gd...."

People love to claim that observant people are dishonest. It makes them feel smug about being non-observant.

Humility should stop us from going "nyah nyah nyah" about the fallen sinner. Especially if he seemed more "religious" (i.e., observant) than we are. Reply

These aren't really religious people in the first place.... There was this guy who bought a new tv to catch his college team in its first and probably only NCAA tourney game. It was new and had all the gadgets. Screen in screen, internet, computer hook ups, surround sound and a manual that was a thousand pages long. He was determined to be an expert. Unfortunately he missed the game as he couldn't get through the manual on time.

All he really needed to know was how to plug it in and turn it on. The TV was a waste of money as it did not fulfill its purpose. To see the game. To be there in the present.

Sometimes I think some of the overly religious are like that man. Study of Torah is only worthwhile as it leads to action "....and study of Torah is the greatest as it leads to the others..."

Less study and more do. Find the plug and the on button and then go to work. And that answers that question. Reply

Not in our nature to do wrong! We are not inclined to do wrong by instinct. Only desperate circumstances dictate our behavior. We all want to do good as much as our situation permits. We can’t predict in advance our reactions to certain events at that moment. G-d might know the outcome of the situation. We should not blame human weakness but have compassion and maybe assist them in any possible way. If you can resist the temptation to do wrong, then you are the lucky one. When you do something right or wrong, it is not only for the Torah or G-d that you do it but for yourself and your environment to create a better society where your children will grow up to be responsible human beings. Reply

stealing from a synagogue So you are saying about this man who stole from the synagogue, We should say "There but for the grace of G-d go I?" In a way that is true, but still the man should lose his job and hopefully he would offer to make restitution and apologize to the congregation for taking their money which was given in good faith. If he needed the money badly he could have asked for help, but probably his pride stood in the way. Reply

honesty and crime While it is true that we are taught to fear Hashem, we are also taught to love Hashem, with all our being. Likewise, there is an inate dichotomy between the two Yetsers - the inclinations to do what is right and to do that which is wrong. There is also the commandment to choose Life. Without quoting anything else, it becomes us to appreciate the wisdom of this story. We, sitting at home, typing our messages, cannot know how we would react to any scenario in the future. Just the reading of the tale, and remembering it as part of our lifelong learning, may help us to overcome the Yetser Harah, when such a situation does arise. The Greeks said, "Know theyself". The Tora says, "Know what you are, and remember." Reply

What knowledge, Rabbi. Thank you very much. Reply

what a burden to carry In this story we have a human who, maybe in a split second, rejected all principles and ethics forgetting who he was and ignoring who he was hurting in the process. This money came I’m sure mostly from donations from rich and poor people who wanted to keep their faith alive. Maybe if he was given the chance to turn around and see clearly what has done, as a religious person, he might reconsider his actions and ask for forgiveness! On the other hand, he might also be without scruples and leave town under G-d’s eyes and carry the burden for the rest of his life. Reply

All humans... The common denominator for people is we are all human and the definition for human is imperfection with limitation and weakness, thus, justifying anyone’s behavior in certain situations. People’s behavior is contingent to that instant, not premeditated. So who’s to say if a person is honest or not?. There are stakes to be considered not religion. You might train yourself prior to an incident in one direction or another, but depending on your state of mind at the time, you might change direction in a split second. The Torah is a guide in your every day’s life. It advises you what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s up to you to follow it or use your own judgment. It is not an absolute. If you do right, you thank the Torah, if you do wrong, you blame the Torah. Reply

stealing I have a strong belief about stealing. I will not do it no matter what because what a person steals will bring them no profit nor any gain. Many years ago a friend said something that has always stuck with me "If you steal G-d will make it that you will always have to steal" . On the other hand if you are honest and find your self in need you have only to ask G-d for what you need and believe in his love and generosity and your problem will be solved. Reply

returning money? I thought lost money belonged to the finder because the one who lost it gives up hope of getting it back. the one who finds it is relieved of the moral burden of what to do by halacha, he keeps it. unless there is a name in the wallet and its a completely jewish enclave, then he should return it. Reply

don't be so quick to rationalize It says in Deuteronomy 25:1 "and they acquit the innocent one and condemn the guilty one".

Sometimes you must accept that there are bad people; there isn't a "good side" to everyone or everything Reply

I would without a doubt return the wallet... Have been a thief I have learned the importance of being honest. So for me the answer is simple. Reply

My Lai and me Shortly after the My Lai massacre became known to the public, the writer Robert Heinlein was a guest in my home. Because he was a known political conservative (and considered a militarist) someone challenged him on what he would have done at My Lai. He answered that he would have insisted on getting the orders in writing; if he got no written orders, he would have walked away. ":And what if you did get written orders, Mr. Heinlein?" his challenger went on. "I would have resigned my commission and my citizenship," Heinlein said. "Why your citizenship? someone asked. "Because I would not wish to remain committed to a country where such an order would be legal." "And if you didn't have a commission, Mr. Heinlein?" "I would have welcomed a court martial," he said. Reply