For the source text click/tap here: Bava Kamma 117
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During Talmudic times, one of the most disturbing elements in the Jewish community was a moser – someone who collaborated with the foreign government, informing on his fellow Jews. Such a person was perceived as being dangerous to the well-being of the society at large. This led to a ruling by the Sages that a moser could be killed in order to protect the community.
The Gemara relates another incident pertaining to one who informed gentiles of the whereabouts of another Jew’s property. There was a certain individual who showed Rabbi Abba’s silk [ametakesa] to gentiles, who later seized it. Rabbi Abbahu and Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappi and Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappaḥa sat together to determine whether Rabbi Abba was entitled to compensation from the informer, and Rabbi Ile’a sat next to them.
The halacha is as follows: Someone who is Moser the money of his friend to a thief whether he was Moser it to a Jewish or a non-Jewish thief he is Chayav to pay from the best of his property everything that the thief took. Even though the Moser didn't pick it up and give it to the thief and only directed him to it he is Chayav. If he dies the money is collected from the inheritors of, he Moser just like other damages. (Shulchan Aruch CM 338:2)
We explore the world of the informant, from Petros Alphonse to Jacob Brafman.