A Soulful Journey

There is a discussion in the Talmud on the value of stolen sheep and oxen that died after the thief had taken them.   It is decided that the ox’s value must be repaid to the owner at five times its appraised value.   The sheep’s value was only multiplied by four.   ‘Is this not unfair?’ asks Rabbi Meir and Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai.   'Yes,' insists the Talmud, 'It is'.   The ox can be simply led away by the thief while the sheep had to be carried.   Even in the case of theft we recognize people’s shame and the fact hat the thief had to carry away one animal to his public shame while only leading the other away, as if he owned it. Everyone's honor matters.   Even that of a common thief.    –Rabbi Louis Jacobs