PARSHA PEARLS

V'Im Ain LoIsh Goel L'Hoshiv HoOshom Ailov, HoOshom HaMooshav LaHashem LaCohen
"And if the man has no redeemer (relative) to return the obligation to, then the obligation which is to be returned to Hashem (G-d) goes (instead) to the Cohen (priest).

If one steals money and the victim dies before the robber returns the money, the robber must return the money to the victim's heirs. If the victim has no heirs, then the robber must give the stolen property to the Cohen, as stated in the above verse.

Why does the Torah say that the obligation is to be returned to G-d?

The answer lies in the fact that G-d predetermines how much money every person is supposed to receive each year. G-d had many ways to replenish the victim’s loss and He does not need the thief's remuneration. As G-d surely settled the victims account in some other manner, the thief must now repay G-d. so to speak, for "bothering" Him to compensate the victim. This is accomplished by giving the stolen property to the Kohen.

(Maharil Charif)

ROOT CAUSES

"V'Hisvadu Ess Chatosom Asher Osu"
"And they shall confess their sins that they did"

The words "that they did" seem superfluous.

When one wishes to confess and repent, he must repent the actions that led him to sin as well. For example, the sin of theft is usually preceded by the sin of coveting the stolen object.

This requirement is alluded to by the words "that they did" Not only should the confession deal with the present sin, "their sins", it must also deal with "that they did," whatever was done that led to the present sins.

(Bais Yaakov)