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Kabbalah 401.8: Do not steal the Eighth Commandment

The placement of the Eighth Commandment on the list of “Ten Words” is important. Not stealing is listed after not cheating on one’s spouse.


You shall not steal.

On the surface, one would think, that back in the Time of Moses, this was thought to be about material possessions, extending to slaves and livestock. Nowadays, we would have to include intangibles like intellectual property. Have you ever heard of plagiarism or identity theft? However, there are numerous examples of stealing one’s intangible property in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Jacob, who later became the Ancestor of the Jewish People, actually talked his brother Esau out of his birthright. As if this was not enough, while his father, Isaac, was dying, Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him the Blessing originally intended for his brother Esau. Many Years passed, and Esau actually forgave Jacob.

However, it is said, that Jacob did not escape the Karma for his crimes against his brother. Jacob eventually fathered Twelve sons, but his favorite was Joseph. Joseph’s Eleven brothers hated him, not only because he was his father’s favorite, and also, because he had psychic powers and saw things in dreams. They had originally plotted to kill him, but ended up selling him into slavery. They told their father that Joseph was dead. Thus, it is said, that Jacob paid for his crimes against his brother, when he suffered, being led to believe that his most-beloved son, Joseph, had suffered a cruel Fate.

Regardless, there are many kinds of theft. Keep this in Mind, no matter how simple or uncomplicated the Eight Commandment might seem. Nothing has changed. For Metaphysicians, we must note, that there is an additional kind of theft. We are talking about Psychic Vampires, here. It is very important, when performing any type of Metaphysical or Psychic activity, to ask for protection first. Depending on one's religious background, the Twenty-Third Psalm or the Lord's Prayer may be appropriate.

The following prayer, by James Dillet Freeman, comes highly recommend:

The light of God surrounds us;
The love of God enfolds us;
The power of God protects us;
The presence of God watches over us.
Wherever we are, God is.
And all is well.