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How could someone be convicted under Jewish law's nearly impossible death penalty requirements? The analysis reveals that sin creates self-hatred—starting with hatred of others, escalating through aveira goreret aveira until one becomes so alienated from oneself that death becomes preferable to living.
This shiur analyzes the laws of premeditated murder in Parshas Shoftim, specifically the Torah (תורה)'s unusual emphasis on the psychological progression from hatred to murder. The discussion begins with the practical impossibility of capital punishment in Jewish law, which requires two kosher witnesses, prior warning, explicit acceptance of consequences, and immediate action. Given these requirements, how could anyone actually be convicted and executed? Rashi (רש"י) explains that the Torah traces the progression from hatred to murder to teach the principle of aveira goreret aveira—one sin leads to another. However, this seems problematic since the connection between hatred and murder appears psychologically obvious rather than requiring divine instruction. The deeper insight emerges when considering what type of person would allow themselves to be convicted under such stringent requirements.
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Parshas Shoftim, Devarim 19:11-13
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