Expert: Ovadiah ben Avraham - 12/30/2007

Question
I'm confused.  I just don't understand how Mosaic Law worked 2000 years ago.  When a man and a married woman committed adultery were they stoned to death in every case?  Why would G-d have been so strict then and not now?

Answer
Alex,
It is man's standards and punishments that have changed, not God's. If a man and a women were caught in adultery and this was witnessed by at least 2 adult Jewish (reliable) witnesses then both were stoned to death. Jewish law also requires that the people be warned beforehand that they are about to commit a capital crime. That way there is no ignorance of the law. Adultery remains a capital crime in many countries. However, Israel no longer carries out the death penalty and I have no idea of the current penalty for adultery in Israel. Hope this helps. Shalom!