Collective Punishment for Akhan's Sin/1/en
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Collective Punishment for Akhan's Sin
Introduction
The Punishment of Innocents
One of the most troubling theological questions encountered by readers of Tanakh is why innocents are sometimes punished for the sins of others. The issue comes to the fore in Yehoshua Chapter 7, when one individual, Akhan, takes from the banned, consecrated spoils of Yericho, resulting in national defeat at the Battle of Ai and the death of thirty-six soldiers. Akhan, himself, however, is originally spared. Where is Hashem's justice? Why did the nation as a whole suffer for the actions of one man? Why did thirty-six innocent men need to die? And finally, why was Akhan's punishment suspended, only meeting his death later, after a public lottery found him guilty?
