Question Thank you for answering my question, but I do have a follow up. You say we do not practice the criminal laws that are spelled out in the Torah (stoning prostitutes, people who work on the Sabbath, etc) because of the Diaspora. But there is a state of Israel and therefore a homeland. I'm therefore confused.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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Hello, when reading the laws of Leviticus, they tell very strict things; theys tell us to stone prostitutes, to stone those who work on the Sabbath, to stone homosexuals. These things are not legal. Yet if G-d's law are supposed to supercede Man's law, then how do we get around this concept?
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Marc,
Thanks for your question. The criminal laws are only to be observed in the Israeli Theocracy, not in the Diaspora (exile). The Sanhedrin is required to pass such judgements and no longer exists. Thus the concept of "dino d'malkuto dino" ("the law of the land" prevails). Only when the law of the land would lead to idolatry, illegal unions or murder do they supercede the law of the land. Hope this helps. Shalom!
Answer Marc,
Just like we can't bring the sacrifices in the absence of the Temple, neither can the death penalty be handed out in the absence of the Sanhedrin (which likewise met on the Temple grounds). These laws are only applicable when observant Israel is in her own land, maintains full govermental powers and the Sanhedrin can meet and rule on the issues. Unfortuantley, this is still not the case, even in our newborn homeland. Hope this helps! Shalom!
