From these wonderful words, we can proceed. Rashi tells us that the decree against the Dor Hamabul was sealed only because of robbery. The question arises: What is more severe, the three cardinal sins – idolatry, murder, and sexual immorality – or robbery? It seems unclear why their sentence was sealed specifically for robbery.
The Ramban explains that "violence" refers to robbery and oppression. Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave Noah the explanation that the flood was due to the fact that the “the earth is filled with violence” – כִּ י־מָ לְאָ ה הָ אָ רֶ ץ חָ מָ ס – and did not mention “the corruption of the way” – ה ִ שׁ ְ חִ י ת כ ּ ׇ ל בָּשָׂ רכִּ י – recorded in the preceding Pasuk because violence is a sin that is known and widely publicized. The Ramban adds that their decree was sealed because of it, and the reason is that it is a rational commandment; they do not need a prophet to warn them (Sanhedrin 108). Moreover, it is harmful to both Heaven and creatures alike. Thus, Noach was informed of the sin that brought the end. Besides, robbery is the opposite of peace. Chazal say peace is so powerful that even when Bnei Yisrael worships idols, Hakadosh Baruch Hu refrains from punishing them if unity prevails. But once division sets in, guilt follows – showing that peace protects, while discord destroys.
Sefer Lev Avraham offers a wonderful explanation. There were three sins – idolatry, murder, and sexual immorality – yet their decree was sealed only for robbery. Why? Because the source of the three severe sins is robbery! Why? Because in adultery, a person robs the husband of the woman. When a person kills someone, it is as if he robs his soul, aside from robbing him from his family. Similarly, in idolatry, the wood and stone were created by Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and a person takes them and uses them against the Creator. Therefore, their decree was sealed only for robbery, as the root of the sins was robbery!
Sefer Levush Ha'Ora writes: It is already known that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is slow to anger and delays His wrath, hoping they will repent. Therefore, for the sin of immorality, which is between Him and the creatures, and no one from below demands justice, even Midat HaDin above has no place to awaken and accuse. Therefore, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, who is merciful, delays His anger, hoping they will repent. But for the sin of robbery, which is between man and his fellow, the robbed cries out violence before Him, against the robber, and pleads and beseeches Him to do justice for him. And because He is a true judge, He hears his cry and has mercy on the robbed, and His anger burns against the robber, and He decrees his judgment and seals it.
And when His anger is aroused in this way, the Midat HaDin above is also stirred to accuse. This happens because the heavenly forces are only awakened by what occurs below – human actions ignite their response. Once judgment is awakened, it recalls other sins as well, and Divine wrath is unleashed, chas v’shalom, bringing harm even to the righteous together with the wicked.
