Parsha:

Mishpatim 

Description

As the penalty for certain forms of physical assault, the Torah puts forth a principle of "measure for measure" punishment, declaring that one give an "eye for an eye, tooth for tooth". The overwhelming majority of Talmudic sages, however, rule that the guilty party pays restitution rather than being mutilated. Is this, though, what the Biblical verses really imply? How can the Rabbinic interpretation be reconciled with the simple sense of Scripture? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores this issue and more. For sources and analysis, see http://alhatorah.org