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Isn't it a bit harsh to stone a person to death for lighting a fire on the Shabbat?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Philosophy » Consequences | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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1. Even in the most liberal society, freedom and liberty are only granted when they do not interfere with the common good of the population. You aren't "free" to murder, steal, rape or drive drunk, nor are you entitled to pollute the air even in the privacy of your home.

Spiritually, all Jewish people are likened to one body. Just as an ache or illness in one limb affects the whole body, so too the actions of every Jew affects every other Jew. A person who desecrates the Shabbat, claiming that it's his own business, is analogous to a passenger on a ship who decides to bore a hole in the hull, saying that he has a right to do what he wishes because he paid for this seat!

We are all working towards one goal -- making the world an abode for G-d's presence. Any person who shirks his or her responsibility is hurting the whole "team."

All Jews are likened to one body. Just as an ache or illness in one limb affects the whole body, so too the actions of every Jew affects every other Jew
2. According to Halachah, a person can be punished with capital or corporeal punishment only if the witnesses warned him beforehand of the consequences of his action. If he disregards the warning and commits the crime, he is due for a punishment. [It's very nice to advocate compassion and education, but I assume you maintain this position only in regards to sins against G-d. Is a crime against G-d - your Creator - less significant than a crime against a fellow man?]

3. Our Torah is a kind Torah for it is the wisdom of a kind G-d. In fact, even the punishments in Torah are intended for the benefit of the one who is receiving the punishment. The punishments of the Torah serve as atonement for the crime which was done, allowing the sinner to enter freely into the World-to-Come. This is (one of) the reason(s) behind a peculiar fact: certain grave crimes are not punishable according to the letter of the law simply because the crime is so great that even capital punishment will not be able to atone for the sin. For example, if all the 23 judges in a capital punishment case immediately agree that the defendant is guilty, the defendant is innocent! Because if not one judge can find a redeeming quality in this defendant, capital punishment alone cannot serve as an atonement.

[Obviously the courts will not allow such an individual to go back on the streets, but that's because he is a menace to the public. The Torah, however, which only knows of kindness, does not find a fitting punishment for such a person].


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Shabbat
(pl: Shabbatot). Hebrew word meaning "rest." It is a Biblical commandment to sanctify and rest on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. This commemorates the fact that after creating the world in six days, G-d rested on the seventh.
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Halachah
Jewish Law. All halachah which is applicable today is found in the Code of Jewish Law.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.