Why do both Muslim extremist, Zionist Jews, and right wing Christians believe in an eye for an eye?

The concept of an "eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot" as punishment for a physical injury is mentioned in the Torah in "Shemot"/Exodus 21:24. This verse has been the basis for criticism of the Torah as a harsh and inhumane document for thousands of years, all based on a misunderstanding of its meaning.

The Oral Law explains that what is meant is a sophisticated five-part monetary form of compensation consisting of payment for "Damages, Pain, Medical Expenses, Incapacitation, and Mental Anguish" - which underlie many modern "advanced" legal codes. The expression, "An eye for an eye, etc." means that that is what the perpetrator deserves, if not for the mercy of the Torah and its Author. Ah, you ask, how do you know the Torah means that, and is not to be taken literally? Because the Torah says, "Do not take a ransom for the life of a Murderer, who is wicked to the extent that he must die;” for the murderer, there is no monetary amount that is sufficient to grant him atonement in the eyes of G-d! Only payment with his life will secure that atonement! But for other forms of injury, we will take millions of dollars from the criminal as a ransom for his eye, hand, or foot; and as atonement, hopefully rendering him a poor man, for his terrible crime!

http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/torah.htm

From "Jews for Judaism" by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Law vs. Love:

I have often heard it said that the God of the Old Testament is vengeful, whereas Jesus’ teachings are more humane; that the Old Testament is about law, whereas the New Testament is about love. There are endless comparisons between the Hebrew Bible’s “eye for an eye” law (which has always been interpreted by the Jews to mean financial compensation rather than an eye itself) and Jesus’ magnanimous philosophy of “turn the other cheek.” It is undeniable that Judaism champions law above love, practice above faith, and religious service above theology and dogma, for which it has paid an enormous price in terms of popularity. Judaism maintains wholeheartedly that love without law is nothing more than meaningless sentimentalism, which will ultimately end in cruelty. As the popular saying goes, “He who is kind to those who are cruel will end up being cruel to those who are kind.”

…”Paul’s excoriation and condemnation of the law has directly influenced millions of people to see only oppression in the Torah.” “Judaism rejects these attacks. Law is the ultimate safeguard for love. The separation of law and religion has proved to be a great calamity for human civilization. First, it means that atrocities can be perpetrated in the name of God and no one can say that religious law forbids it. Furthermore, the Christian rejection of law as a religious discipline would guarantee religion’s divorce from the world and its realities. That religion has lost out to secularism as the mainstream guide to human life is a direct result of the detached role that religion began to play when Christianity abrogated the law. To say that religion cannot be about law is to say that religion is not designed to regulate human life!”

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You're repeating disparaging lies about Judasim, not truth.

Eye for eye always meant financial compensation based on injury, not on status of victim or perpetrator. The Hammuriabi code & other codes of the day listed different punishments based on who you harmed, different for a farmer or a king. So equality under the law was a novel idea.

Making Judaism into something "supposedly violent" is false, & done by early Christian writings for political purposes relevant at the time (to survive in Rome). Another example is blood was never required in Jewish sacrifices. The whole thing was basically a BBQ with prayer anyway.

This has nothing to do with Israel, which is a country, or Zionism which is belief that Jews have a right to self-determination too in this world, nor Jews in general since most Jews support Israel, nor very religious Jews since the concepts are the same throughtout ALL of Judaism, & can be found in older Jewish literature recording Temple experiences.

.......

Shaari law as implements in some countries does include cutting off a hand for stealing, & stoning to death for certain crimes (Iran has women on death row waiting stoning for adultry). However, that's not how all Muslims implement Shaari.

Christianity obviously doesn't not believe in eye for eye. Including right wing - they advocate for laws based on their religious views such as anti-abortion, but never mention this one.

Why do Muslims have to be extremist, or Jews to be Zionist, to believe this??

Extraordinary tolerance--turning the other cheek-- is, well, extraordinary. It can't be expected of all people; therefore, we should at least demand, it some way, fairness--an eye for an eye. Not literally--but somebody wronged should be compensated in a way that satisfies him.

Layla, you and that i've got traded barbs this night and been somewhat disrespectful to a minimum of one yet another, I admit, yet i want you to appreciate I admire your voice whether I disagree with you or not... and... that is large to fulfill you. My answer on your question is that Palestine grow to be ruined by Yassir Arafat. He grow to be a terrible, evil guy and any team he led could have been led down the incorrect direction. Now that is an irreparable mess, i'm afraid, and that is due in many cases to his psychotic, mass-murdering dispositions.

As a born again Bible believing Christian, I find your question is way to general, as well as a stereotype that really does not fit the majority of Christians. I firmly believe that if a situation degenerates to violence then I have failed as a Christian. There is usually a better way to solve issues that do not involve violence. However I will defend my family with my life if necessary if they are ever threatened with harm. Defense of myself or family due to the threat of death would be the only reason for me to be violent in return. By the way there is no prohibition in the Bible for the defense of yourself or family when death is in the offering. We are not supposed to be placid sheep in that situation.

That verse is strictly metaphorical, and I doubt it was ever interpreted litterally in practice. I certainly don't accept the litteral translation. What it means is, if a neighbor causes his neighbor to loose his eye/tooth, the injured party is to be compensated with a value EQUAL to that of his eye/tooth.

Peace

Christians don't believe in "An eye for an eye" the verse you quoted is evidence enough not to. The other groups I don't know but don't lump all together. Go and ask them directly.

Well sir,The Lord told us all in all the the books including the bible that justice is eye for eye and that if we forgive it is better for us. surely you understand that forgiveness is not to be given to the arrogant oppressor, transgressor but for the one who feels sorry for what he\she did. Those who do not repent and apologize for the harm they did should know that eye for eye tooth for tooth. and that they will not go unpunished

For Judaism (Zionists, Reconstructionists, Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, et al), the phrase has to do with restitution, not actually blinding someone who blinded you (or a friend).

I can't speak for the other two groups.

Im not any of them, but i believe in an eye for an eye.

If you kill my brother...i'll kill you.

If you steal from me, ill chop your hand

If you slap me, ill slap you.

But i dont believe you should go over the top, or do more than they've done to you.

ps. Whose Alan Alda? =S