For the source text click/tap here: Bava Kamma 79
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Throughout this chapter – we focused on fines – the punishments that a thief will have to pay over and above returning the stolen object or its value.
It is important to note that these fines apply only to a ganav – a thief, who looks for an opportunity to steal when no one will see him.
A gazlan – a robber, who brazenly steals in broad daylight – is not obligated to pay kenasot.
This seeming anomaly is addressed in our Gemara, where we find the question of why the Torah was more strict with a ganav than with a gazlan presented to Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai by his students.
Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai explained to them that the ganav appears to fear people, yet he has no fear of God.
Which leads us to explore a more lightheaded review of religious approaches to dogs!