The Laws of Murder

Found 6 Search results

  1. Murdering with Guile

    Rabbi Yaakov Medan

    To which murderer is the Torah referring when it states “you shall take him from My altar to die”? Chazal’s interpretation included only one who murders intentionally with premeditation, as opposed to one who murders accidentally. The verses, however, include a third type of murderer who is a composite of the first two types. He murders intentionally, but pretends to have done so unknowingly. It is concerning this murderer that the Torah commands that he be removed from the place of his refuge, from the 'altar,' and put to death. Examples exist throughout the biblical text, from Cain who murders Hevel, through Yoav ben Tzeruya’s murder of Avner, Amasa and Uriya, to Yishmael ben Netanya who murders Gedaliya ben Achikam.

  2. Tanakh and Literature of the Ancient Near East

    Part 2 - The Torah and Legal Systems of the Ancient Near East (continued)

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    On this basis of some of the major features that distinguish the law of the Torah from the laws of the Ancient Near East we may conclude that the Torah does indeed display awareness of the existence of other ancient codes of law, and perhaps even specific laws. However, even in instances where there is a clear connection between the two systems, the Torah is not a replica of existing laws. On the contrary, the Torah adopts those laws that conform with the dictates of morality and uprightness, while altering radically some of the basic principles upon which those laws are based and their foundation in limited human perceptions of justice. From the Divine point of view of the Torah, there is an emphasis on the value of life, on individual responsibility, etc., in contrast to the principles arising from the other systems of laws. The Torah represents, even in the social sphere, a wondrous legal structure based on social justice, supporting and illustrating Moshe's declaration, "What  nation is there so great, that has statutes and judgments so righteous as all this Torah, which I set before you today?"

  3. Punishment for Animals?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  4. A Difference Between Man and Beast

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  5. The Sanctity of Human Life

    Rabbi Yaakov Beasley

    Traditionally, rabbinic literature referred to the set of laws granted to humanity after the flood as the Sheva Mitzvot Benei Noach, the seven commandments of Noach's children or the Noachide code. The commandments include prohibitions against stealing, killing, eating the limb of live animals, acts of sexual immorality, idolatry, blasphemy, and a requirement to establish courts of law.  

    In this week's study, we will speculate regarding what occurred after the flood that required that these commandments be explicitly stated, and we will concentrate on the nature of the central prohibition, the prohibition against taking another life.

  6. Shoftim: The Line Between Murder And Apathy - Epilogue 2

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    Shoftim: Epilogue 2

     

     
    If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.