Philosophy:Collective Punishment/2
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Collective Punishment
Exegetical Approaches
Only the Sinners are Punished
Hashem only punishes the deserving and does not collectively punish anyone for someone else's crime.
Why is it justified?
Slightly Guilty also Punished
When Hashem inflicts punishment, those who are totally innocent are never included. However, individuals who are guilty by association, or culpable to even a small degree, might be included in the punishment of a worse sinner.
Sources:Bavli Shabbat, Radak
Even the Innocent Punished
Sometimes Hashem collectively punishes the entire group and the innocent suffer together with the guilty.
Sources:R. Saadia Gaon, Ralbag,