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Beit Midrash
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The debate about the death penalty is one that is waged in many modern societies. Many oppose it, despite the need to protect society with a serious deterrent, citing four main claims: 1) There are moral problems with taking lives, including the idea that man should not take that which G-d granted. 2) Since human judges can err, it is dangerous to give punishments that cannot be reversed. 3) The death penalty does not rectify the death of the victim. 4) Life imprisonment is also an effective tool to prevent the recurrence of the criminal’s act of murder.
The Torah has a response to each of these claims, which we will present according to the order above: 1) It is Hashem, through the Torah, Who commands us to take the life He gave, under these circumstances. 2) Very strict standards of certainty are required to carry out the death penalty. 3) It is not only the welfare of society that determines whether a punishment should or should not be invoked. Even if the murderer volunteers large donations, we mustn’t accept them in order to exempt him. 4) Life-time imprisonment is reserved specifically for the unintentional murderer.
The following p’sukim provide an additional reason. Lack of punishing the guilty is called chanufa (literally, flattery; in context, spoiling) of the Land and making it impure (ibid. 33-34). Bnei Yisrael have to establish a society whose values are values of justice, which enables them to live lives of sanctity and purity in such a way that the Divine Presence will dwell in the Land. These values include the execution of an intentional murderer. Failure to act in such a manner drives out the Divine Presence.
This understanding helps explain David’s strange will and testament to Shlomo, in which he commanded Shlomo to kill his chief of staff, Yoav, for having killed two rivals (Melachim I, 2: 5-6). If this was the right thing to do, then why didn’t David execute Yoav himself? We can now say that Yoav was so strategic an asset to David that he had little choice but to let him live. However, upon Shlomo’s ascension, which brought with it the approach of the building of the Beit Hamikdash and the associated Divine Presence, matters of justice had to be dealt with at all prices.
Let us pray that the Divine Presence will indeed dwell in our midst without any impediments.
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
