[Avodah] torture in halacha???

[Micha Berger]

On Mon, May 14, 2012 at 09:54:59PM -0400, Zev Sero wrote:
>> I presume also to torture in order to retrieve a stolen quarter.

> Why do you presume it?  Is it OK to hit someone for that reason?  If
> not, then we don't need to ask about torture.  If yes, then on what
> basis do you *presume* that torture is not also permitted?  Just
> because it feels wrong?

Hitting someone in order to get a quarter back is itself a minimal
case or torture.

We're miscommunicating because you are saying that there is no separate
issur of torture beyond hitting, something to which I agree. I don't think
hitting in order to get something from someone and torture are different
things.

However, I am saying that the question of issur veheter and what
constitutes sufficient justification for torture does exist -- because
the question exists for hitting.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 37th day, which is
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