Parshas Devarim
“You should desire the house of your friend…” (Devarim 5:18)
It is a negative commandment that we have been held back from fixing in our minds to desire that which belongs to another Jew, as the fixing of desire will lead to trying to find ways to take it from him even if he has no wish to sell either by forcing him to sell, or by outright stealing or by another method. About this it says “You should desire the house of your friend…”.
This prohibition is not identical to that of “You may not have a desire etc.” (in the ten commandments) as that prohibition refers specifically to one who actually takes the object (whether he pays for it or not) when the owners have no wish to sell, whereas our prohibition interdicts even the thought in our minds.
Do not wonder how can a person possibly stop his mind desiring the treasure of wonderful things which he sees in his friend’s house when he himself is in poverty and his house is empty? How can the Torah forbid something which one cannot stop? The answer is that these assumptions are incorrect, as a person has the power to control himself, his thoughts and desires in everything that he wants, and he has the ability to distance himself from or bring himself close to whatever he wants. His heart is in his own hands, and he can turn it towards whatever he wishes. Hashem, before Whom all hidden things are revealed, and Who sees and tests heart and kidneys, there is not one thought of any person which is hidden from Him, He will punish those who transgress His will even in their hearts, and He creates kindness to the thousands of people who turn their thoughts to His service, for nothing is so good for a person as a good pure thought, for that is the beginning and end of all deeds.
The root of this commandment is well-known, for the distancing of theft between people is an achievement for everybody.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times, both to men and to women. Non-Jews are also obligated in this commandment, as it is a part of the commandment prohibiting theft, which is one of the seven commandments which all descendants of Noach are obligated to keep.
