Portion of the Portion

From K'doshim To Bava Kama

In Parshat MISHPATIM this year, I talked about the connection between the biblical verses from that portion and the page learned at that time by those who learn DAF YOMI - the daily page of Talmud. At that time they were learning the fifth chapter of BAVA KAMA in N’ZIKIN called SHOR SHENAGACH ET HAPARA - an ox that gored a cow.

This week we can bring a similar connection. Last Sunday those who learn in the 12th cycle of DAF HAYOMI finished learning page 119 of the tenth chapter (HAGOZEL UMA’ACHIL) of BAVA KAMA. In so doing they had their first SIYUM in the Order of N’ZIKIN. This chapter deals with laws pertaining to someone who steals.

The verse in our portion of K’DOSHIM (19:11) warns us not to steal - LO TIGNOVU. The word TIGNOV refers to stealing secretly. Some examples include shoplifting, pickpocketing, using an item that someone asked you to watch without getting explicit permission, and using things at work that belong to the employer such as pencils and paper.

And what about getting benefit from stolen merchandise? We are forbidden to buy stolen goods. Meaning, if one is going to buy a used bike he should make sure that it is not stolen. If a thief would know that he is unable to sell his stolen goods, he might not steal anymore.

Page 118 of BAVA KAMA deals with the issue of someone who has had an object stolen from him (let’s say Reuven) and then sees that object in someone elses’s possesion (Shimon). HAMAKIR KEILAV USFARAV B’YAD ACHER. For example Reuven had a bicycle that was stolen and then he sees Shimon riding it. Reuven goes to Shimon and asks for his bike back. Shimon says that he bought the bike for 500 shekel and he can’t just give him the bike. What happens in a case like this?

The Gemara says that actually Reuven should be allowed to take his bike back without having to pay anything for it, but the Rabbis have made a TAKANAT HASHUK. They decided that in order to make sure that people would continue to do business with each other - buying and selling - it must be that we must assume that when we go to a public store the objects there are not stolen and we are permitted to buy them. So in the case with the bike, Shimon must swear that he bought the bike for 500 shekel and if Reuven wants his bike back he must pay for it. Many interesting laws just from one pasuk in the Torah telling us not to steal.

YISHAR KOACH to all those who learn DAF YOMI.

Since the portion talks about stealing, this week’s recipe is for cookies that it would be hard not to steal from the cookie jar - because they are so good.

WHO STOLE THE COOKIES FROM THE COOKIE JAR - CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1cup ( lb. / 200g) margarine, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp.baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups chocolate chips (12 oz.)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Beat margarine and brown sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

In another bowl, mix dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir or beat into margarine mixture until well mixed. Add chocolate chips (and nuts, if desired).

Drop dough in 2-tablespoon portions, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheets.

Bake at 400F (200C) until cookies are lightly browned and no longer wet in the center (you can break one open to check), about 6 to 8 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.

Let stand on pan to firm up, 2 to 5 minutes, then transfer to racks with wide spatula (so they won’t break) to cool completely. Then watch out for those cookie thieves!

• Other Portion of the Portion
• SHOV'VIM TAT
• The Women in Sh'mot
• Fanatic? Who Me?