"If the stolen object shall be found in his possession... he shall pay double." (22:3)
Question: Why must a thief repay double?
Answer: When a thief steals $100, his intention is to gain $100 for himself at the expense of $100 to his victim. The punishments in the Torah are measure for measure. Therefore, by paying double, the thief ends up losing $100 and making the victim gain $100. What is done to him is exactly what he planned to do to his fellow.
"When you lend money to My people, the poor among you." (22:24)
Question: Do not the words "the poor among you" seem extra?
Answer: Helping a person in need is a great deed. One should give at least one tenth of one's earnings for charity. Unfortunately, sometimes people do not have money readily available when they are called upon for a worthy cause. Others do not want to dip into their reserves and, consequently, they lose an opportunity to perform a great mitzvah.
The verse gives advice on how to give charity easily and wholeheartedly. When a person brings home his earnings, he should immediately take off at least ten percent and put it away in a "charity account." Thus, he will no longer consider the money as his, but rather belonging to the poor. When a poor man or a charitable cause comes to him for help, he will not feel as if he is giving his own money, but rather "the poor among you" -- that of the poor man which is in his possession.
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