Well, well, well, it seems like the Jewish community is in a bit of a pickle. Our religion prohibits capital punishment, yet we have been targeted and lost some of our own. What’s a prosecutor to do? Take our traditions into account, folks!
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. You’re saying, “But the Bible clearly states that the death penalty is A-okay!” And to that, I say, hold your horses, Susan. The Mishna, which dates back to the time of the dinosaurs (roughly 1,800 years ago), interpreted “an eye for an eye” to mean monetary compensation, not physical violence. Even the command to put down a rebellious son in Deuteronomy was deemed too harsh by the rabbis, who only allowed it if both parents were identical in height. And, let’s be real, those rabbis also said, “There has never been a stubborn and rebellious son and there will never be in the future.” Mic drop.
Sure, there was a span of Jewish history where the high court in Jerusalem had the power to dish out the death penalty. But that only lasted until 70 C.E. (remember that? Good times). And since then, we’ve been courtless. But fear not, my friends. The Talmud has got our backs. Turns out, there are forces at work that ensure divine justice even when humans can’t make it happen. So, there you have it. Crisis averted!
In conclusion, let’s honor our traditions, people. Sure, we may have lost some loved ones, but let’s not lose sight of our values. No need for violence or harsh punishment. We’ve got some pretty clever rabbis who managed to interpret even the most brutal parts of the Bible in a humane way. And if worse comes to worst, trust in the Talmud. It’s like our own little safety net for divine justice. Stay safe out there, folks!

Serious News: nytimes