Reform Judaism Magazine, Summer 2002

Capital Punishment

The 2002 edition of Reform Judaism Magazine examines the question of whether or not Judaism condones capital punishment. An article by Rabbi Dan Polish, Director of the Joint Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, explores the faith's historical reasoning for opposing capital punishment.

Rabbi Polish notes, "The thrust of the Jewish tradition and the historical positions of the Reform Movement impel us to oppose capital punishment in principle and in practice. A person wrongfully flogged for robbery can heal. A person improperly imprisoned for murder can be exonerated and set free. But someone put to death for a crime he/she did not commit can never be redeemed."