RESTITUTION

“…he is to make restitution…”
Exodus 22:4

Much like our last Parashah, we find ourselves reading more of the rules laid down by Adonai as given to Moshe. For the one whose loose animal grazes in someone else’s field, restitution was to be made. To the one whose grain was destroyed in a fire, restitution was to be made. And to the one who finds that his possessions are stolen while in the watch of their neighbor, double payment was to be paid. Even in the case where an animal being looked over passed away, Adonai had a rule of restitution.
Borrowed items which were lost had rules of restitution. A seduced virgin not engaged to be married even came with a restitution fee. The sorceress was not allowed to live. The animal was not to be engaged in sexual relations. Other gods were not to receive sacrifices. And foreigners were not to be oppressed just as widows were not to be abused. Finally, Adonai even provided a law concerning the loaning of money.
I know how it can see like a bunch of rules, but it was these rules that Adonai was giving His people to set them apart. The Hebrews were not to be like the other nations, and therefore were not to abide by the careless rules of other nations. It was for Adonai’s honor that the rules were listed, but also that restitution was named.

Exodus 22:4-26