The eighth commandment is “You Shall Not Steal.” What does this mean? If we think about our own benefit instead of the benefit of the collective, this is considered theft. Moreover, in its fullest sense, theft is not only taking something from society, it also includes failing to contribute to society, to the best of one’s ability, at every moment.
In other words, if we have the ability to participate actively in society and contribute to the collective through a particular capacity that is currently at our disposal, yet we choose not to do so, this is regarded as stealing from society. We have withheld something from society that we were capable of giving.
The human body provides a useful analogy. Life is possible only because each part of the body performs its unique function to the fullest extent of its ability. Likewise, in a society that aspires to function as a single integrated system, anyone who contributes less than they are capable of contributing is considered a thief, because they deprive the whole of the benefit they could have provided.
Based on “New Life 159 – The Ten Commandments, Part 2” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.