Capital Punishment in Jewish Law

In the pre-modern era, Jewish tradition had to handle criminal law for our community - both adjudicating law and issuing punishment. Some violations of law even carried the death penalty. Jewish legal tradition and Jewish courts throughout the ages took a wide range of approaches to the application of capital punishment.

In this three part series, we will explore capital punishment in Judaism and in modern morality in three parts corresponding with three eras: biblical, Talmudic, and modern.

Join scholars Danielle Kranjec, Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman, and Marshall Dayan in this three-part series as they explore the way Judaism and has dealt with this most severe form of punishment, from 3,000 years ago up through the modern day.

This program will be offered in person and online in three Sunday sessions.

In-person attendance is open to all vaccinated individuals. Proof of vaccination will be required upon entry, and all individuals inside the Beth Shalom building are required to wear a mask. The program is free of charge to Beth Shalom members. The cost for non-members is a suggested donation of $5.

 

 

Capital Punishment in the Modern Era

Sunday, March 13, 2 pm

Taught by Marshall Dayan, Adjunct Professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

 

Part I, Capital Punishment in the Biblical Era, Taught by Danielle Kranjec, occurred on February 27.

Part II Capital Punishment in the Talmudic Era, Taught by Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman, occured on March 6.

To view Rabbi Goodman's sources for the class, click here.

To see a recording of part II, click here.