New research has rehashed the moral debate on the Death Penalty. Does the government have the right to kill citizens, and if so, what good is it anyways?
As reported by the NY Times, a number of recent studies have show that the death penalty has a deterrent effect on future murders. It was determined that anywhere between 3-18 murders are prevented by each execution.
There has been some debate as to the validity of these studies as the number of executions is so low, and the amount of other factors that play into the murder rate is so high.
This, combined with a number of instances of overturned death sentences due to innovations in DNA analysis, has brought to light the moral question that is coupled with the deterrent factor.
Who has the right to take away life?
What is the Jewish take on the death penalty? Here’s what the OU had to say.
Does the fact that the Torah repeatedly ascribes death as the penalty for violations of Jewish law change our opinion in this matter?
Is it significant that historically, Jewish courts have been very cautious to actually impose that death penalty?
What do you think?
