Why is a thief punished so much more severely than a robber?
Alan Friedman, NY, USA
As the Gemara explains in Bava Kama 79a, a thief is afraid of people (who may catch him stealing) but not of Hash-m (otherwise he would not steal); whereas a robber may not be afraid of Hash-m, but at least he is not afraid of people either.
Someone who does not know what it means to be afraid is sooner forgiven for not fearing Hash-m, than someone who knows exactly what fear is, but who does not fear Him.
be'Virchas Kol Tuv.
Eliezer Chrysler