Q&A: The Law of a Thief and an Armed Robber Nowadays
The Law of a Thief and an Armed Robber Nowadays
Question
Hello, honorable Rabbi!
According to the Talmud, the law regarding a thief is double payment, whereas the law regarding an armed robber is repayment of the principal. Is this law relevant nowadays, or has it changed? According to Israeli law, the punishment for a thief is up to 3 years, and the punishment for an armed robber is up to 14 years.
Best regards, Avinoam
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. Why would the law change nowadays? (Of course, when there are no ordained judges, fines are not imposed, so the law of double payment is not relevant.)
Discussion on Answer
Good morning, Elijah 🙂
What does all this have to do with an armed robber and a thief? In Jewish law there is no punishment for a robber. A thief has the penalty of double payment, and even that is only in a religious court of ordained judges.
Of course, if Jewish law were the law practiced in the state, they would enact ordinances and penalties beyond the strict letter of the law.
So it comes out that if today they were judging according to Hebrew law, a robber who robbed a bank would return to the bank what he took, same as a thief, and there would be no punishment at all?