THE OBLIGATIONS & LIMITATIONS OF RELIGIOUS COERCION (2)
Rabbi Dunner concludes his review of the vexed issue of religious coercion.
Shoftim begins with Moses’ instruction to appoint Judges and officers of the law. Maimonides and Sefer Hachinuch classify this obligation as a requirement to ensure that all of God’s commandments are observed by the Jewish nation, even if this means the enforcement of Torah law.
Does this obligation apply to the twenty-first century? Are we meant to coerce non-observant Jews to uphold Torah law?
Rabbi Dunner looks at the sources, and presents a kaleidoscope of views regarding this controversial topic.
(For the SoundCloud audio, scroll down) At the end of the nineteenth century, the United States Post Office employed a remarkable woman whose work required detective instinct, linguistic brilliance, an... Read More