This post is part of a weekly series on the Nishmablog presenting the questions to which he responded and the answers that he gave.
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Question: What is contemporary Jewish thought or interpretation of the Stand Your Ground law? [Administrators note: As in the Florida law that grants the right to use a gun without retreating if there is a "reasonable" fear for your own life - note the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman incident and the court case that followed]
For some background see:
Stand-your-ground law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For More information I Googled Stand Your Ground Law + Jewish Law
Stand-your-ground law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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At first glance it seems that the answer is simple. In these kinds of
matters "Dina d'Malchuta Dina" the Law of the Land is Law. There are
several directions to go using this principle
1. Aggressive: Jewish Self-Defense can be Pre-emptive. "Habba
l'horg'echa, Hashkeim v'horgo!" If a [murderer] seeks to kill you, kill
him first! How pre-emptive? In this day and age that's tough to be
specific.
2. Non-Confrontational: Jews by nature, temperament, etc. are
non-violent. Certainly walking around vigilante style with a gun is
highly discouraged - unless perhaps in a "war zone". Standing one's
ground would usually be construed as the case when, for example, a
burglar invades one's home or attempts to hijack one's car.
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In normal circumstances, standing one's ground would apply to protecting one's home and family and no more
In extenuating circumstances - the Middle East comes to mind - perhaps a more pro-active or pre-emptive response makes sense.
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For More information I Googled Stand Your Ground Law + Jewish Law
Here is one "hit"
To Stand or Not to Stand Your Ground (Leviticus 19) | Odyssey Networks
Shalom and Regards, RRW
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