Gun Control

Jewish Values and Gun Control

From THE RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER

Jewish tradition emphasizes the sanctity and primary value of human life. The Bible commands us "Thou shalt not murder." The Talmud teaches us that "he who takes one life it is as though he has destroyed the universe and he who saves one life it is as though he has saved the universe." In an increasingly impersonal and alienating society, the dehumanizing of the human being and the carelessness with which human life is taken stand in direct violation of these affirmations of our tradition.

Scripture encourages peaceful pursuit of our mutual welfare. Isaiah exhorts the people of the earth "beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks." (Isaiah 2:4) We are commanded to turn weapons of destruction into tools for the greater good of society. The following text from the Bereshit Rabbah (21:13) further idealizes the land free of weapons, "The Rabbis, commenting on the words: 'He placed at the East of the Garden of Eden the Cherubim and the flaming sword' say: 'At the East of the Garden of Eden at the very spot where stood the Cherubim with the flaming sword - there was Gehenna created.'" Our Jewish tradition demands that we continue to act for prudent gun regulation. By speaking to our children about guns, by mobilizing our congregations around the persistent threat of gun violence, and by doggedly demanding that Congress follow the will of the public rather than pursue gun lobby dollars, we may well see a reversal in the tide of gun violence. But unless we speak out, all that remains is the silence of victims punctuated by gun blasts.
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A Life and Death Issue: Support Strong Gun Control

"He who takes one life, it is as though he has destroyed the universe and he who saves one life, it is as though he has saved the universe."
—The Talmud

Every year approximately 30,000 people die from guns in America, of which about 11,000 are murders. The United States has some of the most lax gun laws in the world, resulting in more gun deaths than most of the rest of the industrialized world combined. Act now! Contact members of Congress and demand that they make gun control and improving the criminal background check system legislative priorities.

Should Jews Sell Guns?

By J. DAVID BLEICH

The Torah commands us not to place a stumbling block in front of the blind. Gun sellers prey upon, or pander to, the predilections of the morally blind.