Law and violence in Jewish and Islamic perspectives

Deborah K.

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Law and violence in Jewish and Islamic perspectives

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Abstract

When the above is read at a glance, one would think Jewish Law states that a son who does not obey his parents shall be put to death. However, we do not see this implemented in society today – nor are there notable instances of this occurring in history. Has it been ignored? Does this suggest that if a son does not strictly follow his parent's orders, he shall be sentenced to death? No ancient law is that simple, of course, and like others, this law has been studied, and the meaning pulled apart piece by piece.

Introduction
The Jewish law
The question of age
The dissection of the law
The point of notion
A modern comparison
The law of the stubborn and rebellious son
Rotenberg and Diamond
The interpretation of the meaning
Conclusion
Works cited

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[...] Rotenberg and Diamond state that the law of the stubborn and rebellious son presents problem of definition of the antisocial personality” (Rotenberg and Diamond 30). Rotenberg and Diamond go on to compare the specifics of the definition of the stubborn and rebellious son against those of a psychopath. is of particular interest,” they point out, “that both the Talmud and modern psychiatry emphasize the fixed, irreversible nature of the condition” (Rotenberg and Diamond 31). They go on to discuss the interpretation of Philo Judaeus, who “defines the biblical stubborn and rebellious son under four accusations: disobedience, contentiousness, participation in riotous feasting and drunkenness” (Rotenberg and Diamond 31). [...]

[...] Just as children value what their parents say, it can be argued that the formed the laws to teach the Jews, his “children” basic principles. Hence, the law of the stubborn and rebellious son, and similarly, the concept of not talking to strangers, teach valuable lessons although they are not followed verbatim. The law of the stubborn and rebellious son is also referred to in modern studies, such as the study of psychopathy. An article by Mordechai Rotenberg and Bernard L. Diamond opens with a quote from the law of the stubborn and rebellious son, they shall say and a drunkard” (Deuteronomy 21:20). [...]

[...] As can be seen, in the dissection of only the word there have already been strict restrictions made as to the circumstances in which this law can be applied. The dissection of the law continues in detail, and more restrictions are made. In response to the phrase is a glutton and a drunkard,” it is established that a particular portion of a particular kind of meat and wine, in specific circumstances, must be consumed in order for the son to be considered rebellious (Steinsaltz 19). [...]

[...] Yet another modern example is the Massachusetts state “stubborn child” law, which was written based on the law of the stubborn and rebellious son when it was enacted in 1646 (Rosenberg and Rosenberg 1098). It is an active law, however, with consequences such as a child being placed in a facility (Rosenberg and Rosenberg 1104). This demonstrates the implications of the law of the stubborn and rebellious son as being that the son can be a danger to society, and therefore needs to be removed or isolated in some way. [...]

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