Philosophy:Collective Punishment/2
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
This topic is currently in progress
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.
Divine justice? This position is motivated by the understanding that justice demands that each person be punished for their own crime and not that of another.
Individual providence? This approach must maintain that Hashem watches over every being individually, and knows each of their actions so He can reward and punish each according to their deeds.
Flood – These sources assert that the entire world was destroyed n the flood because, with the exception of Noach, everyone, animals included, had sinned.
Sedom
Plague of first-borns
Sin of golden calf and spies
Ir Nidachat
Achan and death of the 37
Plague in time of David
What about babies?
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, Rif on Yehoshua, Abarbanel on Korach
Even the Innocent Punished
Sometimes Hashem collectively punishes the entire group and the innocent suffer together with the guilty.
Sources:R. Saadia Gaon, Ralbag, Abarbanel, Malbim, Netziv
Why is this justified?
Individual providence?
Majority vs. minority of sinners?
Collective salvation?
Can humans also collectively punish?
