Difference between revisions of "Collective Punishment for Akhan's Sin/1/en"

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<div><b><center><span class="highlighted-notice">This topic has not yet undergone editorial review</span></center></b></div>
 
<div><b><center><span class="highlighted-notice">This topic has not yet undergone editorial review</span></center></b></div>
 
<h2>The Punishment of Innocents</h2>
 
<h2>The Punishment of Innocents</h2>
<p>One of the most troubling theological questions encountered by readers of Tanakh is why innocents are sometimes punished for the sins of others.&#160; 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.&#160; Akhan, himself, however, is originally spared.&#160; Where is Hashem's justice?&#160; Why did the nation as a whole suffer for the actions of one man?&#160; Why did thirty-six innocent men need to die?&#160; And finally, why was Akhan's punishment suspended, only meeting his death later, after a public lottery found him guilty?</p>
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<p>Why are innocents sometimes punished for the sins of others?&#160; This question lies at the heart of the story of Akhan in Yehoshua Chapter 7.&#160; The chapter describes how Akhan sinned in taking from the banned, consecrated spoils of Yericho, resulting in national defeat at the Battle of Ai and the death of thirty-six soldiers.&#160; While these apparent innocents were punished, Akhan himself was spared.&#160; How does Hashem's justice manifest itself in the story?&#160; Why did the nation as a whole suffer for the actions of one man?&#160; Why did thirty-six innocent men need to die?&#160; And finally, why was Akhan's personal punishment suspended, and he killed not in battle but only after a public lottery declared him guilty?</p>
  
<h2>Attiribution of Sin</h2>
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<h2>Attribution of Sin</h2>
  
 
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Version as of 10:46, 3 July 2016

Collective Punishment for Akhan's Sin

Introduction

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

The Punishment of Innocents

Why are innocents sometimes punished for the sins of others?  This question lies at the heart of the story of Akhan in Yehoshua Chapter 7.  The chapter describes how Akhan sinned in taking from the banned, consecrated spoils of Yericho, resulting in national defeat at the Battle of Ai and the death of thirty-six soldiers.  While these apparent innocents were punished, Akhan himself was spared.  How does Hashem's justice manifest itself in the story?  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 personal punishment suspended, and he killed not in battle but only after a public lottery declared him guilty?

Attribution of Sin