Emor

This week the parasha repeats something that was already stated in the book of Exodus.  It says that:

24:19  ... a person who causes an injury to another person, just as he did, so shall be done to him 

24:20 A fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Just as he injured another person, he shall be injured.

 Does this seem fair to you?  If someone bullies you, should you bully them back?  If someone trips you on purpose, should you trip him the next time you see him?  What about if you trip over someone's backpack by accident?  Should you insist that she trip over your backpack?  What if when you tripped you didn't really get hurt.  Does that make a difference?
The rabbis decided a very long time ago that it was impossible to carry out this kind of punishment fairly.  Why do you think they thought so?  Do you agree with them?

 WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Be sure to share your answers by commenting on this blog