“And hear the voice of adjuration” – that is what is written: “One who shares with a thief hates himself; he will hear an oath but will not tell” (Proverbs 29:24). There was an incident involving a certain governor who would kill those who would receive stolen goods but would free the thieves. Everyone would criticize him that he was not acting properly. What did he do?
He issued a proclamation in the province and said: The entire people to the assembly grounds. What did he do? He brought weasels and placed portions of food before them. The weasels would take the portions and bring them to the holes.
The next day, he issued a proclamation and said: The entire people to the assembly grounds. He brought weasels, placed portions of food before them, and sealed all the holes. The weasels would take the portions and bring them to the holes, but they found them sealed and would return the portions to their place, indicating that everything stems from the receivers. That is from the governor.6That is an illustration of how bad it is to cooperate with a thief.
From where is it derived regarding the action?7How can the severity of this act be recognized merely by observation? Reuven stole from Shimon, and Levi knew about it. [Reuven] said to him: ‘Do not publicize it and I will give you half.’ The next day they entered the synagogue and heard the voice of the sexton announcing: ‘Who stole from Shimon?’ Levi was standing there.
Did the Torah not already issue a decree: “And he is a witness, who either saw or knew; [if he does not tell, he shall bear his iniquity]”?