3 Adar II, 5774 (3/5/14) – Sukkah#30 {Tani}

R’ Huna: Explains to merchant sellers, that when you buy hadassim and the like, do not cut it from the ground yourself. Let the non-Jews cut it, lest it seem as though you are stealing.

T’s Lesson: Learn the powerful lesson of how careful we must be in the area of stealing. Be careful to be medakdek (exacting) in this area; to the most miniscule amount. Even if you want to use someone’s pen, if you do so without permission, that can be considered stealing. This also applies in the area of bittul zman (wasting time), and loshan hora (gossip). In both of these cases, you are stealing time from your own days (by involving yourself in improper matters) and stealing from that which you could have better used your time with. Do not steal from others or even yourself.