“An eye for an eye – a tooth for a tooth” — the Lex Talionus. No commandment in the Torah is more misunderstood. As Ghandi is reputed to have said:”If every body followed this commandment, the whole world would be blind and toothless” (My paraphrase – no sources checked…)
Jewish tradition has always understood this to mean that if someone is injured, monetary compensation is required – not actual injury. Hence this weeks parasha limerick.
Though some may think fighting uncouth
Close reading reveals the truth
If damage ensues
Then payment is due
In cash, not eye, limb or tooth
Rabbi Black is Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Denver, Colorado. Prior to moving to Denver, he served as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 1996-2010,and as Assistant then Associate Rabbi of Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1987- 1996. He is married and has two children.Rabbi Joe Black is one of the most popular Jewish contemporary artists in the United States. He has been a featured performer at the Coalition for Alternatives in Jewish Education (CAJE) Conference as well as the Biennial Conventions of the Union for Reform Judaism. He has shared his music with hundreds of Jewish communities around the United States and Canada. He also has been featured in many acoustic music venues around the country. Rabbi Black has been honored as one of the “Top Ten Artists” in both the categories of “Jewish Children’s Music” and “Male, Adult Contemporary Jewish Music” by Moment Magazine and TARA Publications. His recordings have received accolades from sources as diverse asThe New York Times, Haddasah Magazine, Parent’s Choice, The American Library Journal and Kids First: The Coalition for Quality Children’s Video. While living in Chicago, he hosted the Emmy award winning television program, The Magic Door on WBBM TV.
Latest posts by Rabbi Joe Black (see all)
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