God and the Law

President Obama had authorized the use of force if Capt. Richard Phillips was believed to be in danger, so U.S. snipers fired when the pirates aimed an automatic rifle at their hostage.

In the Torah is written the laws of the Rodef/Chaser and the Nedef/Chased—the obligation on the witnesses is to stop the Chaser at any cost even if it requires killing him. The Torah is concerned with justifying killing prior to inquiry, in this case it was more than chasing it was kidnapping.

In the Torah there are delineated three types of Law: Chuckim—laws that have no apparent reason; Adut—laws from witnessed events; Mishpot—laws of an obvious nature. The reason why these obvious laws are written into the Torah is to encourage humanity not only to do what is right out of logic, but also right before God.

As is seen in nature God created a devouring world, but the human being is distinguished through our premeditated thoughts melding justice with compassion.