THE OBLIGATIONS & LIMITATIONS OF RELIGIOUS COERCION (1)

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?

In the first of two shiurim on this topic, Rabbi Dunner begins a survey of the sources by looking at the Sefer Hachinuch.

SHOFTIM 2018 – ABRIDGED SOURCE SHEET