- All the Questions
death penalty
Question
What is the punishment or is there any punishment for killing someone who has murdered, repeated acts of pedophilia, rape, etc. and someone who has destroyed Jews?
like Yael killing the king in her tent during war to prevent more Jews being destroyed, can we do this in this day and age with terrorists, attackers of Jews, etc. ?
Answer
Shalom.
Although the death penalty is mentioned in the Torah for severe crimes, the Talmud tells us that the threat was almost never carried out, but mainly serves as a way to stress the severity of those actions. That is regarding the halachic judicial system, which anyway cannot be carried out today because we have no Sanhedrin. On the other hand, Jewish law grants the government, whether it be a king or democracy, the option and even the obligation to use whatever measures are necessary in order to insure law and order, and to deter the individual villain or national enemies. This would include the death penalty and even going to battle, if it would limit and deter evil. Without a doubt, the government of Israel is too lenient regarding terrorists and their supporters who constantly threaten and attack Jews, and should use more power and pressure to deter our enemies and return our kidnapped (Rambam, Guide For the Perplexed, III, ch. 35).
This should obviously be done by the State and army and not by individual vigilantes who just cause anarchy and actually distract the government and army from fighting the real enemy. The act of Yael is a shining example which the rabbis praise immensely (Talmud Nazir 23b), as an act of heroism at time of war, where killing the enemy general is actually considered a moral and praiseworthy action.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

Noahides
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyyar 25, 5782
the hand symbol
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 21, 5782

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769

Popcorn at the cinema
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 8, 5773

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Orlah fruit trees
Adar I 5, 5771

Davening if Hashem knows future
Adar II 25, 5771

Birkat Hamazon - extra verses
Adar II 25, 5771

Evils Spirits & Ghosts
Adar II 25, 5771

Popcorn at the cinema
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 8, 5773

Halachic Questions in General
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 14, 5775

standard kashrut questions
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 6, 5774

Omer Days I can shave/cut hair
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 2, 5774

Trimming the beard
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 16, 5782

Chareidim and Israel
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyyar 22, 5782
halachas
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 21, 5782
