Attitudes to Punishment

Question 1

What are some forms punishment can take?

Answer 1

1. Imprisonment
2. Probation
3. Fine

Question 2

What are some Jewish teachings about punishment?

Answer 2

1. Society has a right to punish those who break its law
2. Retribution-revenge ‘eye for an eye’
3. Imprisonment-‘kept him in custody.’
4. Capital punishment-‘murderer shall be put to death.’ and ‘evidence of witnesses.’

Question 3

What would Jews say about those punishments today?

Answer 3

1. They are not part of the mitzvot, no Jewish country would impose those punishments
2. An ‘eye for an eye’ is actually a restriction. If someone knocks out your tooth you can only knock out one tooth

Question 4

Why can punishment be regarded as justice?

Answer 4

1. Retributive-punishment proportional to the crime
2. Law abiding citizens are rewarded and bad people are punished.

Question 5

Why is punishment needed in society?

Answer 5

1. Humans live in groups, any group need rules to organise behaviour
2. Also needs punishment in order to make sure all members of society obey the laws.

Question 6

SOWAAs:

Answer 6

1. “eye for an eye.”
2. “kept him in custody.”
3. “the murderer shall be put to death.”
4. “evidence of witnesses.”