Sefer Devarim 19:14 teaches, “Lo tasig gevul reiacha—Do not withdraw your friend’s fence,” (i.e., don’t move your neighbor’s property line). This prohibition is obvious; the Torah already says, “Lo tigzol—Do not steal,” (Vayikra 19:13). So why is stealing property singled out in sefer Devarim?

Answer No. 1: Rashi

Rashi clarifies that the second prohibition, “Lo tasig,” only applies in Eretz Yisrael. Moving the boundary outside Eretz Yisrael violates one prohibition, while breaching someone else’s property in Eretz Yisrael violates both “Lo tigzol” and “Lo tasig!”

Why is this so? A common explanation is that when encroaching on another’s land in Eretz Yisrael, one diminishes the victim’s ability to do the Eretz Yisrael-based mitzvot on that land (mitzvot hateluyot baaretz). I suggest a different explanation. Hashem describes the entire world as “tov meod—very good” (Bereishit 1:31). By contrast, Bamidbar 14:7 describes Israeli land as “tov meod meod—very, very good.” Therefore, stealing Israeli land is twice as bad, because Israeli land is twice as good as land outside Eretz Yisrael!

Answer No. 2: Ramban

“Lo tasig” refers to adjusting the ancestral boundaries set when we entered Eretz Yisrael in Yehoshua’s time. This distribution was conducted by a lottery determined by Hashem (Bamidbar 26:56, with Rashi). Thus, one who steals such land not only steals but also disregards Hashem’s distribution! Therefore, he violates an additional prohibition for disrespecting Hashem in addition to disrespecting his neighbor’s property. Someone who steals such land is unsatisfied with his lot and questions what God gave him. There is a double prohibition for violating such a basic Torah value.

The Broader Concept of ‘Lo Tasig Gevul’

Parshat Ki Tavo presents Hashem’s command to gather at Har Gerizim and Har Eival to pronounce blessings and curses. One of the maledictions (Devarim 27:17) focuses on disrespecting boundaries: “Arur masig gevul reeiahu.” This curse is not restricted to Eretz Yisrael.

This curse pronounced at Har Eival demonstrates that respecting boundaries is a foremost Torah value. “Hasagat gevul” is more than illegal encroachment; it represents a broader concept. We must respect boundaries in every area of life. Every day of creation involved boundary setting. These include separating light and darkness, heaven and earth, sea and land, day and night and the different species of birds, fish and animals.

Tehillim (104:9) describes Hashem in creation setting inviolate boundaries. Disaster ensues when such natural boundaries are violated—such as in a tsunami, when the border Hashem made between land and sea suddenly collapses. Thus, we must respect proper boundaries in all interactions. It is no coincidence that halacha is replete with establishing limitations—such as between the genders, meat and milk, Kohen, Levi and Yisrael and much more. Rashi (to Bereishit 6:13) teaches that natural disasters ensue as a severe consequence for violating proper behavior between the genders. Hashem releases nature’s protective barriers if we do not respect boundaries.

Another reason Hashem curses those who move property lines is that one increases his land holdings by reducing his neighbor’s lot. Hashem despises a “mitkabeid bekelon chaveiro—one who builds himself at another’s expense,” as in one who puts people down to gain social currency. Rambam (Hilchot Deot 6:3) writes that one who is “mitkabeid bekelon chaveiro” does not have a share in Olam Haba.

Conclusion: Push Yourself Ahead Instead of Putting Others Down

A Chassidic rebbe once found his older son pushing his younger son into a small ditch. He told the elder child, “If you wish to exceed your brother, do not push him down; stand on a chair instead! The Torah wants us to uplift ourselves—not to push others down to elevate ourselves. In all of the various facets of “Lo tasig gevul reiacha,” the common theme is advancing oneself at another’s expense. May we respect boundaries and merit thereby Hashem’s blessings (see Rashi to Devarim 27:12).

Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.