Q&A: Morality in the Torah
Morality in the Torah
Question
Hello.
Following the debate with Yaron Yadan.
1. From a moral standpoint I know that I should honor my parents and not kill, etc.
As you said, Cain too should have known that it was forbidden to kill Abel. So why did the Torah command it? Is this a moral commandment or a halakhic one?
2. If the source of morality is God, why does a person’s own morality and conscience change over time (as he matures), or because he changes his mind (for example, becomes vegetarian)?
3. Why does morality also differ from person to person?
Seemingly, if the source of morality’s validity is God, then it should be identical among all people. Because if not, how do I know what the correct morality is? Whether to eat animals or not, for example? What about the morality of certain tribes in Africa who kill and eat people? Do they have morality? Is that moral according to their approach?
Answer
- A halakhic commandment. Search here for the column on Jewish law and morality. Everything is explained there in detail.
- Because he reaches different conclusions. That really has nothing to do with the question of what the source of morality is. Even if its source is God, I am the one who perceives it, and that perception can change.
- Same as above. There is development. Science too has its source in God (He created the world). And still there is development in our scientific knowledge.
Discussion on Answer
See Column 372
According to your answer, seemingly, how can one judge a person or determine whether what he did was bad or good?
Maybe according to my level of morality it’s a moral act and therefore good, but according to your understanding it isn’t moral and is bad.
According to this, it turns out that there is no absolute good and evil, and people cannot be judged or punished.