Torah for today: Alex Baldwin
Rabbi Zvi Solomons takes a topical issue and looks into Jewish texts for a response
There is a curious idea in the Torah of cities of refuge. The Torah tells us that, on conquering Israel, we are to set up three such cities on either side of the Jordan River, so a person committing accidental manslaughter can flee there. The avenger (a relative of the dead victim) can kill the perpetrator if he leaves the area of the city prior to the death of the High Priest, when they are released from their limitation; but at least they are not executed for murder.
It seems to me that Alec Baldwin falls into this kind of category. He did not intend to kill Halyna Hutchins, nor anyone;
yet he pointed what he was assured was a ‘cold’ gun at another human being.
The carelessness and sloppiness of the arms use on set have come under intense scrutiny. The liability of those dealing with the weapons is likely to be high. The rule to never point a weapon at another person, even in jest, is a vital one.
Baldwin is culpable in that respect. He is an unwilling manslaughterer and, in ancient times, might have taken refuge in one of those cities.
I have no doubt the lawyers will shortly be casting damages suits, which is also provided for under the Torah. There has, of course, been a criminal investigation.
The worst aspect is that the victims include the unwitting perpetrator. His conscience must be hurting badly in the wake of the killing. Perhaps his own sense of horror and guilt will act as a form of punishment; the publicity, certainly, is a potent warning to anyone wishing to use weapons when shooting films.
- Rabbi Zvi Solomons serves JCoB, the Jewish Community of Berkshire
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
