Torah holds wisdom for modern world

Dear Editor, Re “DANA MILBANK: Biblical precedent doesn’t excuse Roy Moore,” Nov. 11, 2017: Enough Bible-bashing already. I would add some counterbalance to the references syndicated columnist Milbank selected from Hebrew Scripture to boost his argument against a “New Testament”-specific example used to justify alleged abuse of power by a man accused of molesting women.

My intention here is not to venture into post-modern politics or theological polemics, nor to correct Milbank’s mistranslations and misinformation; rather to place focus on historical context and the good human spiritual evolution can accomplish, guided by holy wisdom.

Some 3,500 years ago in the Middle East, privileged elites enjoyed rights over common folk; slavery was endemic; pagans practiced human sacrifice.

The Creator intervened with revolutionary concepts via Torah (the Five Books of Moses, or the Pentateuch), accepted as covenant by the ancestors of the Jewish people, whom the Creator just liberated from 210 years of slavery: the people’s rights, women’s rights, workers’ rights, animal rights, environmental rights. Torah teaches: No more slave abuse with impunity; eye for eye, tooth for tooth then s/he goes free (Ex. 21:26-27.)

“Don’t deliver an escaped slave back to his master.” (Deut. 23:16-17)

“Love your neighbor“(Lev. 19:18) and “Love the stranger.” (Deut. 10:19)

Afflict no widow or fatherless child. (Ex. 22:21-22)

Women not to be forced into arranged marriages. (Gen. 24:57)

Men have no right to rape women with impunity; rape is akin to murder. (Deut. 22:26)

Workers’ right to day of rest is embedded in observance of the Sabbath day in the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:12-15)

Give land “a Sabbath of solemn rest” every seventh year. Earth lies fallow; vineyards unpruned. Produce “grow(ing) of itself” is u-pick for all people and animals. (Lev. 25:1-7)

“Justice, Justice you must pursue.” (Deut. 16,20) Child sacrifice is abomination. (Deut. 12:31.) Abraham did not sacrifice his son Isaac. Reb. Chavah Halevi Chachom Institute, Port Ewen