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Why does Rashi (רש"י) call moving a boundary marker "theft" in Ki Savo but "robbery" in Devarim? The shiur resolves this apparent contradiction by showing Rashi distinguishes between sins that can be discovered (robbery) and sins that can be completely hidden (theft). The curse in Ki Savo targets those who hide crimes entirely—revealing that concern for image rather than morality is the most insidious corruption.
Rabbi Zweig conducts a detailed textual analysis of Rashi (רש"י)'s commentaries on the prohibition and curse relating to moving boundary markers between properties. The shiur begins by noting that in Parshas Ki Savo (Devarim 27:17), when the Torah (תורה) lists the curses that the Jewish people accepted upon themselves, Rashi describes moving a boundary as "theft" (geneivah). Yet earlier in Devarim 19:14, where the actual prohibition appears, Rashi explicitly states this constitutes "robbery" (gezelah), explaining that one violates both "do not rob" and "do not move boundaries" in Israel, but only robbery outside Israel. This presents a fundamental contradiction, as theft and robbery are two distinct biblical prohibitions with different legal consequences—a thief pays double restitution while a robber pays only principal. The difference between these two sins lies in how they are committed. Robbery (gezelah) is done openly or in a manner where the victim knows or will discover who took from him—such as mugging someone or taking property brazenly. Theft (geneivah) is done clandestinely, when the perpetrator believes no one will know about the act. The Rambam (רמב"ם) in Hilchos Geneivah rules that if you move a boundary marker openly, you are a robber; if done secretly, you are a thief. This raises the question: why does Rashi change terminology between the two verses?
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Devarim 27:17, Devarim 19:14
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