![]() ![]() Hashem's providence – How does Hashem's providence work? Does He watch every individual and their specific actions or only over the collective? Which side of the debate one takes should naturally affect how ones views collective punishment.Theodicy – The question of why bad things happen to good people lies at the core of the problematic nature of collective punishment.The concept of collective punishment and reward is intricately related to several other philosophical issues: 4Īll these cases beg the question: Is Hashem really not bothered when innocents suffer for the sins of others? Why is collective punishment justified? And if it is not, how are we to understand these stories? Philosophical Considerations ![]() Most notable of these is the slaughter of the city of Shekhem by Shimon and Levi ( Bereshit 34:25). Human actions – In addition to the above examples where Hashem plays some role, there are also cases in Tanakh where humans act on their own to punish collectively.This was the case when Akhan took from the prohibited spoils of Yericho and thirty-six others died in the battle with Ai ( Yehoshua 7:5), 3 or when Hashem brought plague on Israel when David wrongfully counted the nation ( Shemuel II 24:15). Vicarious punishment – Perhaps the most troubling of cases is when the sinner himself is not punished while others suffer in his stead.These include the law to kill all inhabitants of a city of idolaters (עיר נדחת) ( Devarim 13:16) and the decrees to annihilate Amalek ( Devarim 25:19) and the Seven Nations ( Devarim 20:16). Divine commands to punish – There are several places in the Torah where Hashem commands the people to enact collective punishments on others. ![]() In such cases, it would seem that even righteous people suffered.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |