Questions tagged [murder]
The prohibition against murder is the 6th of the Ten Commandments. Murder does not include court executions, defensive wars, or wars commanded by G-d.
109
questions
3
votes
2answers
188 views
If our leadership do not take disease outbreaks seriously, are they considered responsible for deaths that follow?
As of late, there has been a controversy in various Jewish communities around the world. Certain Rabbis and certain individuals have actively circumvented the preventative measures to help stop the ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
Can the definition of a “rodef” be applied to any member of a terrorist group?
One is permitted to kill a rodef - someone who is planning to kill you.
What are the parameters of identifying someone as a rodef when he is a member of a terrorist or any other group?
Examples
If ...
8
votes
1answer
112 views
Can the accidental killer of a relative kill himself?
If a person kills his relative unintentionally, can he also be considered a goel hadam (blood avenger) for the victim (since the victim is his relative)? In which case, he should have permission to ...
15
votes
1answer
387 views
Can an unintentional murderer leave Ir Miklat for Shalosh Regalim?
We learn in Parshas Masei about a person who unintentionally murders another.
The halacha is that the unintentional murderer is to flee to one of the Arei Miklat (Cities of Refuge), and stay there ...
6
votes
3answers
516 views
Understanding the reasoning for “be killed rather than kill”
Sanhedrin 74a teaches us the source for how we know a person should be killed rather than kill:
סברא הוא [...] מי יימר דדמא דידך סומק טפי דילמא דמא דהוא גברא סומק טפי
It's based on logical ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Yehu punished for Yizre'el?
Hoshea 1:3-5:
"So he went and married Gomer the daughter of Divlayim, and she conceived and bore him a son. HASHEM said to him," Call him Yizre'el; because in only a short time I will punish the ...
7
votes
0answers
97 views
Is a doctor obligated to force vaccination?
As per the injunction of "לא תעמוד על דם רעך" - "Stand not [idly] over the blood of thine fellow"(Leviticus 19:16), is a Torah-observant doctor obligated to vaccinate an unvaccinated patient for a ...
4
votes
2answers
195 views
What Happened To King Davids Parents?
I read somewhere (I believe it was a midrash) that King David's parents were murdered?
Is this this factual or is it an allegory for some other interpretation e.g losing their money/status?
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Is murder allowed for someone who is stealing?
Under how I have interpreted United States laws I believe murder is allowed if someone is stealing in certain circumstances. It is used as an act of protection and self-defense.
Is this allowed ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
If a blood avenger somehow gets into a city of refuge and kills the killer, is he subject to the death penalty?
We know that a Goel haDam (blood avenger) has a special allowance to kill the rotzeach who accidentally killed his family member. The accidental rotzeach can avoid this fate by fleeing to an ir miklat,...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Do Gentiles need to excute a convicted murderer?
B'nai Noach are forbidden to murder innocents. They are also required to establish courts.
If the Gentile court convicts the murderer, do they need to execute the murderer, or does performing the ...
1
vote
6answers
412 views
Correct translation of “לא תרצח” - Thou shalt not kill or murder?
There are, basically, two English translations of the Sixth Commandment - "לא תרצח" (Ex 20:13 and Deut 5:17): some read "kill", some read "murder".
Murder seems more accurate since there is ...
15
votes
1answer
260 views
Is an accidental murderer allowed to stand and fight the Goel HaDam?
As we know, during times when the Sanhedrin is fully operating, an accidental murderer must flee to an Ir Miklat (City of Refuge). If he leaves such a city or does not enter, he is subject to revenge ...
1
vote
1answer
143 views
Can you kill person A to protect yourself from B?
So it's really difficult to think of a practical example of this, but imagine there were some scenario in which, G-d forbid, you needed to kill a non-guilty party in self-defense. If one were in this ...
9
votes
1answer
88 views
Going out on Shabbat for Avenging your father's murder?
In the Mishna Berurah on the end of Siman 306 (page 200 of Vol. 3 in the classic editions) he writes:
כתב כנה"ג דללכת חוץ לתחום בשבת לנקום נקמת אביו מרוצחים מותר ותמה עליו המג"א וש"א דהא לא עדיף ...
4
votes
1answer
209 views
Does a person who kills someone by accident have to go live in Chevron nowadays?
Someone who kills by accident has to go live in one of the Arei Miklat. The Rambam paskens this halacha and does not specify that it only applies at a particular time, only when there's a Sanhedrin, ...
3
votes
2answers
120 views
“Kanai”: What criteria must be met by a defendant charged with murder who claims “kanai” status (halachik answers only please, not hashkafik/musar)
Much has been written about kanaut, and see for example the famous brother and sister Leibowitz, writing separately, but mine is a purely-halachik question: If someone replicates Pinchas's action, ...
2
votes
0answers
43 views
Murder in Eretz Yisrael
The Gemara in Yoma (85a) argues that murder is more chamur than chilul Shabbos because it "contaminates the land and drives away the Shechina"
ושפיכות דמים מטמא את הארץ וגורם לשכינה שתסתלק מישראל
...
0
votes
2answers
144 views
Which is a more severe aveira, murder or chilul (desecrating) Shabbos?
Which is a more severe aveira, murder or chilul (desecrating) Shabbos?
On the one hand we know that murder is Yeheraig V'al yaavor (one of the 3 capital crimes for which one must give up his life). ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
is a animal more responsible then a child? if yes why?
if an animal kills a Jew it deserves the death penalty source
if a child (under 13/12) kills a Jew he is completely free (no consequences)?
if yes why?
5
votes
2answers
179 views
Does “attempted murder” carry punishment by Jewish law?
[Question recently posed to me by a friend]
קידושין דף מ עמוד א---------Kidushin 40a
מחשבה רעה אין הקדוש ברוך הוא מצרפה למעשה שנאמר (תהלים סו, יח) און אם
ראיתי בלבי לא ישמע ה' ואלא מה אני ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
Does Yehareg v’al Yaavor apply to lo sa’amod?
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 74a) derives that one must give up his life rather than murder someone else because “who says that your blood is redder than his?” That is, who said you have more of a right to ...
8
votes
3answers
5k views
Why did Pharaoh only order the murder of boys?
In parashat shemote, Pharaoh explicitly commands the midwives to allow the females to live (וְאִם-בַּת הִוא וָחָיָה). What are the traditional commentaries explaining the order to allow the girls to ...
2
votes
0answers
65 views
How was Matisyahu's murder justified
According to sforim chitsoynim, Matisyahu murdered an unarmed villager in Modin. I believe this tale is repeated in Rabbinic sources, perhaps the Medrash, because I was taught it in Yeshiva. My ...
1
vote
2answers
61 views
Releasing terrorists in exchange for remains of past victims
What would be a halachik justification for mediating a deal involving releasing terrorists, who may well murder more victims, in exchange for remains of past victims?
Related: Why is the head of the ...
2
votes
2answers
161 views
Does killing a gentile unintentionally absolve you from the crime? (Makkot 7b)
Does killing a gentile unintentionally absolve you from the crime? (Makkot 7b)
"(דברים יט, ד) בבלי דעת פרט למתכוין מתכוין פשיטא בר קטלא הוא אמר רבה פרט למתכוין להרוג את הבהמה והרג את האדם לכותי והרג ...
5
votes
1answer
163 views
How to determine a trespasser's intent from a Halachic Perspective?
How do we determine a trespasser's intent from a Halachic Perspective?
The Rambam writes:
If it is clear to the house-owner that the thief who breaks in will not kill him and instead is only ...
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Trespassers from a Halachic Perspective
Where is there a discussion where one can or can not injure or kill anybody who trespasses one's property?
7
votes
3answers
251 views
Murderous Yibum
What is the Halacha in the following case: Reuven and Shimon are brothers. Reuven marries Rachel and has no children (Rachel is
not pregnant). Shimon decides that he wants to be married to Rachel, ...
4
votes
3answers
159 views
If a kohen participates in a stoning is he still allowed to bless the people?
The shulchan aruch codifies that a Kohen who kills someone may not bless the people. If, in the times when the Sanhedrin administered capital punishment, a Kohen saw a situation that warranted the ...
5
votes
2answers
109 views
Was Yoav considered a murderer regarding Uriah the Hittite?
In Samuel I chapter 11, David commands Yo'av to place Uriah the Hittite in the middle of a battle so that, inevitably, the enemy would kill him while he is unprotected. Yo'av carries out the command.
...
5
votes
0answers
223 views
Charlie Gard's parents from a Halachic Perspective
As this question is somewhat extensive, I have divided the post into headers in order to make it easier to read and follow.
Background
Charlie Gard is a British baby who has a rare genetic disorder ...
3
votes
1answer
183 views
When is revenge permitted
I understand that it is forbidden for a Jew to take revenge.
Rambam Deyot 7.7
A person who takes revenge against a colleague transgresses a Torah prohibition, as Leviticus 19:18 states: "Do not ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Does a killer with permission lose his צלם אלקים?
Haamek Davar (ad loc.) explains that צלם אלקים (in Genesis 1:26–27) refers to an angel, also called a person's מזל, which envelops each of us and protects him from harm. He (to 4:14) explains further ...
8
votes
1answer
686 views
Is the Goel HaDam (Blood Avenger) obligated to pursue blood vengeance?
During times when the Torah is the law of the land, if a Jew commits accidental murder against another Jew, he must flee to a Ir Miklat (City of Refuge) or else be subject to revenge killing by the ...
1
vote
0answers
56 views
Murder by Machine
Say that Reuven is at the batting cages. After the machine turns off, Shimon flips it back on without Reuven knowing. A ball whacks Reuven in the head. Is Shimon liable for the resulting death?
What ...
7
votes
1answer
138 views
May an accidental murderer choose to leave the city of refuge?
I understand from the Sefer HaChinuch, mitzvah 410, that a person who kills accidentally has a mitzvah to go to a city of refuge. I would like to know if that person is allowed to leave the city of ...
3
votes
0answers
73 views
Is it ever Halachically permissible to kill a murderer who poses no further danger without trial?
Is the killing of a terrorist who murders a Jew and would eagerly murder more people Halachically permissible if such a person is unable to actually perform additional murders?
According to a ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Indirect murder
If you tell someone to murder someone else and they do it, are you chayav misa - even if you didn't personally perform the act?
If not, what are you liable for, and on what basis?
3
votes
2answers
186 views
What one must give up their life for
It is commonly known that there are 3 things that a Jew must give up their life for and not to be ovar (transgress) on these things: Giliah Ariyos (sexual relations that are not permitted), Shivchus ...
6
votes
1answer
169 views
Pinchas-style act nowadays
Is there any situation whereby a Pinchas-style execution would be justified nowadays?
I am particularly interested in whether a 'zealous act' against a public sexually problematic sin is possible in ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
political assasination and rodefs
The classic example of a roded is a murder chasing you with a knife but sometime politicians can threaten life with bad policy.
E.g. Governor of Michigan Wants to use Flint River
Eg politician wants ...
0
votes
3answers
7k views
Did Jews kill any of their prophet?
Qur'an accuses Jews of killing their prophets:
And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green ...
1
vote
1answer
103 views
Mi La'Hashem Eilai - Was this an appropriate response?
This question weaves together a couple different sources.
The first nekudah comes from 32:32 where we have the phrase:
וְאִם-אַיִן--מְחֵנִי נָא, מִסִּפְרְךָ אֲשֶׁר כָּתָבְתָּ - If you will not [...
1
vote
4answers
333 views
Is the commandment 'You shall not murder' the most important commandment in Judaism? [closed]
Does the rule 'You shall not murder' stand above all other rules in Judaism?
6
votes
4answers
721 views
Why did God need to command the Jews not to kill?
There is a principle 'svara lamah li krah i.e. if a certain idea is logical and self evident to the average healthy mind, the Torah does not need to teach that idea. Additionally, what seems to be ...
7
votes
2answers
334 views
What is an overview of Judaism's arguments against the “unconscious violinist” analogy used to support abortion in the case of rape?
I am looking for the response of any denomination that is against abortion in the case of rape that has also responded to the scenario below or something similar to it.
"A Defense of Abortion" (...
5
votes
2answers
419 views
The question of euthanasia
How does the law treat euthanasia for palliative patients? Is it ok to ask for it and how would the act be treated (as a murder or ?)
1
vote
3answers
385 views
Why did Cain (Kayin) kill Abel (Hevel)?
In Bereshis 4:8 we read:
וַיֹּאמֶר קַיִן, אֶל-הֶבֶל אָחִיו; וַיְהִי בִּהְיוֹתָם בַּשָּׂדֶה, וַיָּקָם קַיִן אֶל-הֶבֶל אָחִיו וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ
And Cain spoke unto Abel his brother. And it came to pass, ...
7
votes
1answer
270 views
Handing over a murderer to the Goel Hadam?
וְשָׁלְחוּ זִקְנֵי עִירוֹ וְלָקְחוּ אֹתוֹ מִשָּׁם וְנָתְנוּ אֹתוֹ בְּיַד גֹּאֵל הַדָּם וָמֵת.
The elders of his city must take him [the intentional murderer] and hand him over to the blood ...
