Q&A: An Eye for an Eye
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
An Eye for an Eye
Question
Hello Rabbi,
A. A theoretical question: if the Torah had meant literally an eye for an eye, would the sages have the authority to say that “an eye for an eye” means monetary compensation?
B. Does the Rabbi have a reference to an article on the subject?
Answer
The Torah is read on different levels of interpretation, which the sages presented with the acronym PaRDeS. The level of homiletical interpretation is an independent plane and is not bound to the plain meaning. Therefore the question does not really arise in the first place. The Torah means an actual eye on the level of plain meaning, and that remains so. And on the level of homiletical interpretation it means monetary compensation, and that too remains so. See Column 370.