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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
