When the verse tells us specifically that Hashem hates theft, that refers to the first type of theft above - blatant theft. When Hashem tells us that our gifts to Him must be free of any suspicion of theft, to the degree that Adam Harishon's gifts were, that refers to the second type of theft above. In addition, the Midrash Tanchuma (Vayikra 6) says that when we present ourselves before Hashem with offerings tainted by dishonesty, we are not just bringing an invalid sacrifice—we are actively insulting Hashem.
Of course, the bringing of such an offering does not accomplish its intended purpose, as the Midrash further states: "One who brings a sacrifice from stolen goods is like one who immerses (in a Mikvah) to purify himself while holding a Sheretz (impure creature) in his hand."
The customary term that the Torah uses in reference to a Jewish person is the Hebrew word “Ish”—a man. In this instance however, the Torah uses the word “Adam”—a person.
Rashi (based upon an old text of the Midrash Tanchuma Siman 2) explains that the term Adam is specifically employed by the verse to teach us an important lesson. It teaches us that we must be very careful to ensure that what we bring for Hashem is free of any theft.
Adam HaRishon, the first man created by Hashem, owned everything and therefore could not possibly steal, so everything he brought for Hashem was under no possible suspicion of theft. That is why the Torah used the term Adam - we should be like Adam HaRishon, and be careful that what we present to Hashem is under no suspicion of theft.
In Ohr Yahel, the famous Mashgiach, Rav Yehuda Leib Chasman ZT”L, recalls that once the Chafetz Chaim asked why this lesson from Adam HaRishon was necessary. After all, there is a verse that specifically says, "I am Hashem, who hates theft [even] in sacrifices [brought to Me]." (Yishayahu 61:8)
The Chafetz Chaim answered that there are two types of theft:
- The first type is the blatant run-of-the-mill theft that we are all aware of.
- The second type is a form of theft, in which someone receives something because of a misunderstanding. For example, a customer receives a discounted price on a good because the store owner thought the customer was someone he was not (e.g. the owner gave the customer a discount because he mistook him for a relative.)
