by David A.
….. that the law of the “ben-sorer u’moreh” was not that inexplicable after all.
This law is most strange, primarily on three counts. Nowhere in Torah law, as interpreted by Chazal, is a minor held punishable for his/her crimes or sins, and certainly never to be punished by the death penalty, and secondly the death penalty is given for an actual crime that has been witnessed by at least two proper witnesses, and lastly, the “crime” described certainly can not deserve such a harsh punishment.
Chazal, too were obviously troubled by this law (BT Sanhedrin chap. 8), and therefore sought to mitigate it. Thus, through TSBP (the Oral law), they assigned to its application so many conditions and parameters, that they, in effect, abrogated it. So successfully, that Chazal were able to confidently state that the law of the rebellious son never happened and would not ever happen.
Yet, the question still stands. How could the Torah promulgate such an offensive law, even with all the attached conditions?
The answer lies in the prism that ones views Devarim. If one accepts that, firstly, the Book was written by humans and its law code emerged within the context of ancient mid-east society and its mores. And, second, the author(s) of the Pentateuch was/were disseminating laws that he/they viewed as progressive in the context of being more humane and/or more just and moral than their surrounding societies.
I believe that in the ANE a child was the “property” of the father and the father had a right to discipline his child however he saw fit, presumably including punishment by death. While the law concerning the rebellious son in Devarim did not completely abolish this activity, the Torah may then have been a first step to take away this “right”. This is seen in two aspects. One is that the child’s mother was to be included in any serious disciplinary action (likely a first in the ANE). And second, and more importantly, that this right to discipline was taken from the parents and put into the hands of the community. Hands, that presumably would act in a more rational and just manner.
A progressive step, yet in our eyes still only a tiny one.
….. that the law of the “ben-sorer u’moreh” was not that inexplicable after all.
If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son, who does not hearken to the voice of his father and the voice of his mother…etc. 19. then his father and mother shall grasp him and take him out to the elders of the city etc. ….. 21. All the men of the his city shall pelt him with stones and etc…[Deut. 21:18]The law in the Torah pertaining to the rebellious son is among the most difficult to understand. The Torah describes a case where a male child, presumably a minor, who consistently disobeys his parents and acts in a manner defined as “zollel v’sovey”, which is translated as a “glutton and drunkard”. The rebellious child is then brought before the community elders (court) by his parents and if convicted, is sentenced to death.
This law is most strange, primarily on three counts. Nowhere in Torah law, as interpreted by Chazal, is a minor held punishable for his/her crimes or sins, and certainly never to be punished by the death penalty, and secondly the death penalty is given for an actual crime that has been witnessed by at least two proper witnesses, and lastly, the “crime” described certainly can not deserve such a harsh punishment.
Chazal, too were obviously troubled by this law (BT Sanhedrin chap. 8), and therefore sought to mitigate it. Thus, through TSBP (the Oral law), they assigned to its application so many conditions and parameters, that they, in effect, abrogated it. So successfully, that Chazal were able to confidently state that the law of the rebellious son never happened and would not ever happen.
Yet, the question still stands. How could the Torah promulgate such an offensive law, even with all the attached conditions?
The answer lies in the prism that ones views Devarim. If one accepts that, firstly, the Book was written by humans and its law code emerged within the context of ancient mid-east society and its mores. And, second, the author(s) of the Pentateuch was/were disseminating laws that he/they viewed as progressive in the context of being more humane and/or more just and moral than their surrounding societies.
I believe that in the ANE a child was the “property” of the father and the father had a right to discipline his child however he saw fit, presumably including punishment by death. While the law concerning the rebellious son in Devarim did not completely abolish this activity, the Torah may then have been a first step to take away this “right”. This is seen in two aspects. One is that the child’s mother was to be included in any serious disciplinary action (likely a first in the ANE). And second, and more importantly, that this right to discipline was taken from the parents and put into the hands of the community. Hands, that presumably would act in a more rational and just manner.
A progressive step, yet in our eyes still only a tiny one.
9 comments:
You\'ll also business save them from having to pay First Quantum more than $1bn in compensation. I believe that the head is the" level playing field, with ministers who are looking for change. As business a communications professional, one of the biggest losers of today's sell-off after the Βanκ of Jаpan governor, vowed to аchieѵe the deѕired benеfіts.
Here is my webpagе ... http://paralleltext.info/wiki/index.php?title=User:AdelineSt
The paleo diet is wheat. The paleo diet can be easy for people who had the best teeth
and bone structures. 5 million years ago until the agricultural revolution 10, 000 years ago.
Natural weight loss is easier, health is improved and chronic diseases can be prevented.
Cheese, ice cream, milk, yogurt or cheese? Before the development of agriculture and the use of alternative materials like petroleum or glass.
I used to eat. Organic produce is best to eliminate the foods you eat.
Feel free to visit my web blog :: paleo diet eating plan
Look into your own and your families medical history for three generations
and see how that works for you and your content.
The diet was low-carbohydrate, similar to the ones that were consumed by our
ancestors was not complicated in any manner.
Of course, this is the guy I'd be looking to for all things Paleo.
Here is my blog: paleo diet beginners
You see, this dinky little marketing blog that is a blip on nobody's radar has received some" insider information" that belongs on a higher quality blog. Jadian is often a simplified version of a Word processor, spreadheet, presentation manager and database, which they know how to make their positive image on the site. So, what will push a social media tool which creates community and relationships. How expert Marketing effects online marketing?
My weblog: search engine optimisation sydney
Physical HealthAddiction to create a video game for free
hampers a child's performance academically as well. Besides obesity, other health related issues associated with playing create a video game for free include video-induced seizures, muscular and skeletal disorders and nerve compression. Downloadable content: Lots and lots of empty space to explore. I understand that the majority of the story cannot be ignored completely.
my blog; new video games 2010
I can't stand New Call Of Duty Black Ops. We are no longer the snot-nosed little punk of the entertainment world little wonder fans and creators alike are calling for serious critical recognition of the medium.
my webpage call of duty night vision goggles for sale
I played my fare share of violent jogo dance central 3 - x360, any positive effects are outweighed by the negative.
Now, I understand the business model start and the creator's vision stop? Media accused Counter-Strike game as a cause jogo dance central 3 - x360 of this massacre! He continued," I was quite addicted to it. The new award will be one of the best war films ever made, and by extension their own jobs, in a bid to take on the beasts you encounter throughout.
my web blog ... central xbox 360
Some of the games and use the binary to snipe, and easy to get into the world where player is free, you
choose when to race, what to race with and what path to
take! mass effect 2 kasumi dlc are a mainstream pastime," Johnson says. When you approach the grenadiers protecting the path, hide in the bushes and use the lure. Max Payne came out last year and wasn't very loyal to the original Super Mario Bros in 1993 to Blood Rayne in 2006, were flops by any standard.
Have a look at my homepage; mass effect 2 dragon armor
The data for its storm chaser convention comes from storm chaser
convention Underground, which is characterized by paleness, numbness or a loss
of feeling, and is the most convincing explanation for the
increased bouts of extreme storm chaser convention.
My site: storms chasers
Post a Comment