Our Gemara discusses a halachic rarity: sometimes being Jewish and part of the covenant brings leniency. A Jew who steals less than a peruta’s worth is exempt, while a gentile is fully liable.
Why? Rashi explains that Jews are forgiving about such a small amount; less than a peruta is not considered money.
Likutei Halachos (Choshen Mishpat, Laws of Stealing 1:1) expands: holiness requires boundaries. A person sensitive to holiness places limits on value attribution. Even if Jews are stereotypically sensitized to money, they still recognize boundaries and won’t overvalue something beneath a practical threshold. One not focused on boundaries loses capacity for holiness; to such a person, more or less than a peruta is all the same.
Indeed, most situations where Jews are treated more leniently than gentiles in halacha relate to technical boundaries. For example, a Jew is exempt from eating flesh of a live animal if it is ritually slaughtered, even while still thrashing, whereas a gentile remains prohibited until all life function ceases (Chullin 33a).
Lack of boundaries invites chaos. Recognizing limits is essential to holiness.
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Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com