The Chain of Events That Killed Khamenei
20 min view
What the Talmud really says about relations with a minor.
A video by YouTuber “Born Again Barbarian” has passed 1 million views, spreading sensational claims about Judaism and the Talmud.
In this episode of Rabbi Rowe Reacts, Rabbi Daniel Rowe responds directly to the video, breaking down what’s being claimed, where these ideas come from, and what Jewish sources actually say when read in context.
What a lovely video. So very informative. And a very well spoken fellow.
He was talking about the perpetrator, the man who rapes the child, as being 'forgiven'.
While you did clearly indicate that such an act is considered rape, I would have liked you to emphasize that the man is a rapist and, what punishment is prescribed without absolution.
Well explicated. Have you contacted the individual who made the video?
Some times a tragedy ensues that is not a crime. Hitting a person in the dark on a slippery road and both parties are unknown to each other is not a murder. Sometimes an apparent theft is actually due to a natural cause (if I leave my designer coat on my porch, it’s blown away by the wind, lands in the bay, and is never seen again, no one is guilty.)
I beg everyone to read carefully and learn what phrases mean. I once said that residents of a particular area were “by and large” low income. A listener immediately said that was racist. “By and large” means generally. Low income is a mathematical fact. The listener decided that I had said “everyone there is poor POC criminal.”
Rabbi, this is extraordinary work!
When I comment on simply issues on the neighborhood listsserve “Nextdoor”, I am frequently subjected to vitriol. I am yUS attorney. When I respond to reactions to horrifying actions, including crimes, I am accused of taking the side of someone who may have done something wrong. I don’t approve of crime nor cruelty. I always point out that when an investigation is ongoing, hysteria about the person sought should only be given to police. When a suspect is in custody, that means little. When the suspect is charged, the person is presumed innocent. Only upon a plea deal can we say that the person is a pedophile, murderer, or whatever.
As a non-Jew, I find this video one of the most understandable explanations of the Talmud. I appreciate the logical and methodical way in which the rabbi addressed each small part of the larger that the “attacker” brought forth. Thank you for helping me to understand.
It’s interesting to learn that “statutory rape” - ie, relations with a consenting minor - was already a concept long before “Law & Order”.
Statutory rape has existed in US law for over a century. Statutory means “according to statute.” Usually the question of rape is whether the victim consented; if both parties consent there’s usually no crime. However, the statute clarifies that a child cannot consent, even when child requests the contact.
In reverse, battering (hitting) another is prohibited except in an athletic event. If I tell someone to hit me and she does, that’s no defense, But if we’re both wearing boxing gloves and a helmet, with a referee present, we can slug away and as long as we follow the rules, no crime is committed.