What is the minimum value of property whose theft violates a Torah prohibition?
Halacha 1 states: 'Whoever steals property worth a p'rutah or more transgresses a negative commandment.'
Question 2
If a thief voluntarily confesses to theft, how much must he pay?
Halacha 5: A thief who admits stealing pays only the principal and is exempt from the double payment, based on Exodus 22:8 — 'one deemed guilty by the court must pay double,' excluding self-admission.
Question 3
How many times does a thief pay if he steals a sheep and sells it?
Halacha 6: For a stolen sheep that is slaughtered or sold, the Torah requires four-fold payment; for a stolen ox, five-fold.
Question 4
A thief steals a lamb; it grows into a ram while in his possession. He then slaughters it. What is his liability for the four/five-fold payment?
Halacha 13: Growing from lamb to ram constitutes a fundamental change; the thief acquires it. Slaughtering it is slaughtering his own animal, so no four or five-fold payment applies.
Question 5
If a thief steals from another thief and slaughters the animal, must he pay four or five times its worth to the first thief?
Halacha 17: The second thief does not pay four or five times to the first thief, since the animal was never legally acquired by the first thief and must return to the original owner.