I/W: 2024 General
The Magna Carta document written in 1215 is regarded as one of the most pinnacle early texts to influence modern Western law. It set out principles of rights and freedoms and the concept of no one is above the law.
But it isn’t the first time such ideas were brought forth. The principle of equal rights and freedoms was given some 2500 years prior to the creation of the Magna Carta, when God gave laws for the Israelites to Moses.
The influence of the Torah on the Magna Carta is debatable. Though it is worth noting, the Magna Carta accompanied religious freedoms and Christianity was the mainstay religion of the land, whose text contains the Torah inside it. Therefore, it’s possible, or probable, it would have had some degree of influence, as would the continuing prominence of Christianity in the Western world on its modern law.
While it would be nice to say the Magna Carta set things in a perfect motion, implementing its principles was a struggle for centuries to come. Even today, adherence to equality in society is a continuing pursuit.
Below are two Jewish laws present in modern Western law that have aided as a driver to the land’s successes.
One Law For All
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:34
Simply, what this law is saying is everyone is treated equally under one law. This is the foundation of the law God gave to Moses for the Israelites.
God gives this law three times, wording it slightly differently each time. Looking at all three in their context helps to understand it. The first is when they’re close to leaving Egypt and he’s giving instructions on the Passover (Ex 12:49). The second is quoted above, bunched together with other laws, and appears to be its official giving. The third caps off the second law below (Lev 24:22) which I get into in that section.
A staple of the Magna Carta is the king not being above the law. But this idea already existed in Jewish law much earlier. It’s illustrated in the law already looked at, the total absence of any special treatment laws for the king, and a guideline for the king to practice restraint. God’s guideline to the king: “And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.” Deuteronomy 17:17
Equal Punishment For Equal Crime
17 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. 18 Whoever takes an animal's life shall make it good, life for life. 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. 21 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death. 22 You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 24:17-22
Every modern Western law system has essentially incorporated this law into their legal system. The law is an equivalent punishment paid for a crime. As you see, God mentions the one law for all after he says this law, which I think is strategic. The purpose of the second law is to fulfill the first law.
If everyone has equal rights and freedoms but crime is rampant, then everyone’s equal rights and freedoms would be in jeopardy. Therefore, the objective of the first law can’t be achieved without the implementation of the second.
This law implements the minimum punishment necessary to be effective, ultimately displaying the maximum amount of compassion possible. It seeks to be effective, but not cruel. When you think about it, if it were a 10 to 1 punishment ratio, it would probably deter crime more. But this would be pretty hardcore and oppressive to the society’s well-being. And if it were a 1 to 10 punishment, you could say that would be nicer, but it would be ineffective in deterring crime as it would be easily exploited. For example, if someone stole 10 million dollars they would be 9 million dollars ahead. Rather, the punishment is simply the minimum amount necessary to be effective. The focus of this law is to uphold the first law. That’s its purpose, it’s meant for the well-being of the civilians.
Conclusion
These laws have brought out the best in people in Western society, aiding in its leading humanity in invention, innovation, education, and more. Also, Western countries dominate the charts of where people of all backgrounds want to live. This is because people want to live where they will be treated fairly. The whole is greater than a part. Discrimination and unfair laws don’t tap into the greatest potential of the whole.
God’s Blessing Through Israel Proven True: A People and Ideology of Great Positive Impact
This shows God is ahead of the curve by millenniums in terms of what laws work. If God knows better than humans, wouldn’t he know the best laws for society that are in its best interest?
I think what’s to be taken away from this is Jewish law should be looked at closer.
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