Mosianic Law question

Question

Shalom Rabbi, I am hoping you can help me understand the Jewish perspective on the Levictus and Deuteronomy laws (Mosianic Law) that prescribe the death penalty for various offenses (and also in some cases when disrespecting parents, when mocking bald priest, when wearing clothing of 2 different materials or sometimes even lacks of killings like when it is described that you will be fine if you beat slave near death but not to death). While I am aware that the rabbinic tradition teaches these laws were tempory only, their presence in the Torah is still difficult to reconcile. How are these passages traditionally understood? Are they meant to be taken as literal legal statutes, or do they serve a more symbolic purpose, such as emphasizing the gravity of maintaining a holy community? Please explain because I still didn't manage to find any answer yet to be understandable at all or accepting. PS: I don't mean to disrespect Judaism by that question but im only asking this question to found answer to strengthen my faith Thank you for Your guidance.

Answer

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Please understand that your questions requires pages and pages of response which is beyond the scope of this website and service.

I will simply advise that the Torah's rules are eternal and nothing is "temporary." 

What you might be referring to, however, is the idea that the sages made every effort to acquit criminals from the death penalty by finding "reasons" to exempt the criminal from death. 

Nevertheless, when the death penalty was called for, and the evidence was indisputable and overwhelming, the criminal would be killed.

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our patrners in supporting and spreading the Torah
Help us answer more questions faster and better
Join the mission
More questions in this category