I let Another Commit the Murder, am I Guilty of Murder?
Divine Code for November 25, 2022
Today: Page 312
Topic 1:5 -- 1:7
Someone who hires a human being to kill someone else is punished by the hand of G-d. But is not condemned by the court for murder but for pursuit, for which he may receive harsh punishment.
A person who abuses an animal to kill another is guilty of murder only if the person's death is inevitable, such as because he turns snake against him so that it will bite. However, if the person can escape from the animal - the snake is "only" released near the victim, the person is punishable by the hand of G-d but not for murder by a court of law.
In this cases the court is not obligated to put the perpetrator to death, but the ruling power is permitted to make a general law tat allows for punishment by execution in these types of eases for the benefit and/or safety of the society. Similary, if the court deemd it necessarry to execute this more indirect killer as a special case due to overriding needs of the time, it may do so.
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Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code 4e edition by rabbi Moshe Weiner
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