Klein, past president of Hebrew Free
Loan.

CONGREGATION SHIR
TIKVAH

3633 W. Big Beaver, Troy, 643-6520.
Rabbi: Arnie Sleutelberg.

HUMANISTIC:

THE BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE

28611 West 12 Mile Rd., Farmington
Hills, 477-1410. Rabbi: Sherwin T.
Wine. Services: Friday 8:30 p.m.
Rabbi Wine will present a special

Singles Weekend in honor of singles
throughout the Jewish community.
He will discuss "Making Myself
Strong."

RECONSTRUCTIONIST:

T'CHIYAH

St. Antoine at Monroe, Detroit,
393-1089.

UNAFFILIATED:

SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY
OF GREATER DETROIT

15751 W. Lincoln. Southfield.
545-8945.

'TORAH PORTION

I

Capital Punishment:
Contrary To Halachah

RABBI RICHARD HERTZ

Special to The Jewish News

T

his week's sedra in-
cludes a larger group
of laws and ordinances
that became the core of a
whole legal system of
Halachah. Sometimes refer-
red to as the "Book of the
Covenant," this was original-
ly a separate book that deriv-
ed its authority from God's
will and was based on revela-
tion divinely sanctioned,
scholars believe. Arranged in
no particular order, many
laws nevertheless include the
death penalty for certain
crimes. Capital punishment
was part of the legal system
of ancient civilizations. It was

Shabbat Shekalim:
Exodus 21:1-24:18,
30:11-16,
Kings 1 11:17-12:17.

the standard penalty for
crimes, especially since no
prisons existed for the in-
carceration of criminals. Not
surprising then is the list of
crimes carrying the death
penalty in the Bible.
Strangulation, decapitation,
burning or stoning were the
usual forms of executing
capital punishment as pen-
alty for crimes.
The Torah authorized
capital punishment in theory,
but Judaism almost abolish-
ed it in practice. Even the
possibility of capital punish-
ment came to an end around
the year 20 C.E. when the
Sanhedrin of 71 judges ceas-
ed functioning in Jerusalem.
What is the Jewish view on
capital punishment? Many
people defended it on grounds
advanced by the Bible, main-
taining that a murderer must
expiate his crime and be
punished for his sins by

Richard Hertz is rabbi
emeritus of Temple Beth El.

forfeiting his life. They con-
sidered the death penalty to
be the greatest deterrent to
extreme crimes, like murder
or rape. There are no less
than 37 crimes for which the
Torah prescribes death
penalty.
But there was a vast gap
between theory and practice
even evident in rabbinic
times some 20 centuries ago.
Actually, Judaism came to
oppose capital punishment.
Why? Experience proved that
it does not deter potential
killers. It does not eradicate
the ills of society. It cheapens
human life and brutalizes the
sensationalism in the best
traditions of the Roman cir-
cus of old. Caveman
vengeance dehumanizes
society. Finally, there is
always the possibility of error
in executing an innocent per-
son. Benjamin Franklin once
said, "Better 100 guilty peo-
ple should escape than one in-
nocent man should suffer."
In 1846, Michigan, then a
territory, became the first
English-speaking jurisdiction
to do away with the death
penalty. At least 45 nations,
including most of the Western
democracies, have now
abolished or abandoned
capital punishment.
The law of revenge has its
roots in the deep recesses of
the human spirit and to the
brutalization of society. A per-
vasive, unqualified respect for
life is at the heart of
Judaism's opposition to
capital punishment. When a
modern trial sensationalizes
the process, what is gained
except serving the cause of
revenge or retribution?
In the Torah the death
penalty was prescribed for
many crimes, such as murder,
adultery, blasphemy, false
evidence in capital cases,
false prophecy, idolatry, wit-
chcraft, incestuous sexual
acts, insubordination to the
authorities, licentious

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LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHWEST SUBURBAN AREA

SPONSORED BY:
THE NATIONAL JEWISH OUTREACH PROGRAM
in conjunction with
AISH HATORAH / ALEYNU and
MACHON L'TORAH OF METRO DETROIT

SWAITIONALC

111.4tOTINIEWI

B'nai B'rith Women - Town Hall Meeting

invites you to meet

JOAN KORT

B.B.W. National Vice President

who will discuss issues and answer
your questions and concerns regarding
B'nai Irrith Women.

Monday, March 5, 1990

7:30 p.m.

United Hebrew Schools

21550 W. Twelve Mile Rd., Southfield

When Problems Occur
Call

THE MASTER

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• Plumbing • Electrical • Carpentry • All Types Of Home Repairs

American Red Cross

Blood Services Southeastern Michigan Region

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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

53

