Sources on Gun Violence: Individual Freedoms vs.

Communal Needs
Bavli Sanhedrin 37a: For this reason, one individual was created first, to teach that anyone who causes one life to be lost from Israel it is as if they have destroyed the entire world. And anyone who saves one life from Israel- it is as if they have preserved an entire world.

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The above text is read to witnesses in a capital case before they give their testimony. Why is it important for witnesses to be reminded of this? If you were such a witness, how might this impact your testimony? Talmud Bavli Avodah Zarah 15 One should not sell idolaters either weapons or accessories of weapons, nor should one grind any weapon for them (Avodah Zarah 15b). Maimonides Laws of Murder and Preserving Life 12:12 One may not sell non Jews weapons, and one may not sharpen their weapons and one may not sell them, knives, manacles, chains, and not bears, lions, or any object which can damage the public. But we do sell them shields which are only for defense.

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These two texts deal with restrictions on selling weapons to idolators and non-Jews, groups who were considered at risk for using them to harm the Jewish community Why are these particular items or actions prohibited? How might these texts relate to the gun control conversation happening now? Bavli, Makkot 10a There should be traffic neither in arms nor in trap- gear in a city of refuge these are the words of R. Nehemiah; but the Sages permit. They, however, agree that no traps may be set there nor may ropes be left dangling about in the place so that the blood avenger may have no occasion to come visiting there.

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What is the concern of this text? Why are cities of refuge a particularly unique case? How are those circumstances relevant today?

Prepared for the RA by Ashira Konigsburg | December 2012

Mishnah Bava Kamma 1:4 the fox, lion, bear, leopard, panther and snake are muadin (liable to cause damage).

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The implication of this text is that because these particular animals are expected to cause damage, one who chooses to own them will be held responsible. Are there other things which are so dangerous that one who chooses to have them can be held responsible for any damage caused? Why doesnt the Mishnah simply prohibit owning these animals? Deuteronomy 22:8 When you build a new house, then you shall make a fence around your roof, that you bring not blood upon your house, if any one falls from there. Shulhan Arukh Hoshen Mishpat 427 And for every stumbling block that threatens lives, one must remove it, protect oneself from it, and be exceedingly careful in its regard; as it says: You shall guard and protect your lives, (Deuteronomy 4:9). And if it is not removed instead is placed in front of those who come to danger, one has violated a positive commandment and has violated bring not blood.

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These two texts speak about taking precautions to protect others from getting hurt. What specific measures do these texts want us to take? Are there other cases where these principles might apply? Mishnah Shabbat 6:4 A man must not go out with a sword, bow, shield, lance, or spear [on the Sabbath]; and if he goes out, he must bring a sin-offering. Rabbi Eliezer said: They are ornaments for him. But the sages maintain they are merely shameful, for it is said, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not lift sword up against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2)

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This text is about wearing weapons as adornments. Whats the reasoning behind the two points of view? Which point of view do you agree with and why?

Prepared for the RA by Ashira Konigsburg | December 2012

Leviticus 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. Isaiah 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Masekhet Derekh Eretz Perek Shalom Rabbi Joshua ben Levi, a third-century Jewish sage, once taught: Great is peace if the Holy One had not given peace to the world, sword and beast would devour up the whole world.

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Each of these texts present a vision of an ideal world. According to each of these texts, what are the elements of an ideal world? What does your vision of an ideal world consist of? How can we work together to make things better? We began this study with a text that talks about the importance of every human life. After having read through the rest of the sources, how does this principle apply? Should we do more to protect lives? If so, what should we do?

Prepared for the RA by Ashira Konigsburg | December 2012

National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Shabbat Vayikra, March 16, Beth Am What Can We Do? Zackary Berger Sources on Gun Violence: Peace, Policy and Public Health 1. Rashi Vayikra 1 And He called to Moses: Every [time God communicated with Moses, whether it was represented by the expression] And He spoke, or and He said, or and He commanded, it was always preceded by [God] calling [to Moses by name] (Torath Kohanim 1:2-3). Kriah is an expression of affection, the [same] expression employed by the ministering angels [when addressing each other], as it says, And one called to the other (Isa. 6:3). 2. Pirkei Avot 1:18 Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel said: On three things the world is sustained: on truth, on judgment, and on peace, as it is it says (Zechariah 8:16): "Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace." Rambam: .the world exists because of those three things Bertinoro: on judgment: to call the innocent innocent and the guilty guilty. on peace: between nations and between people. 3. Bamidbar 17 And Moses said unto Aaron: 'Take thy fire-pan, and put fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense thereon, and carry it quickly unto the congregation, and make atonement for them; for there is wrath gone out from HaShem: the plague is begun.' And Aaron took as Moses spoke, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people; and he put on the incense, and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 4. Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis, edited by Daniel W. Webster, Jon S. Vernick, JHU Press, 2013 The United States, with its many guns and high permissive gun laws, faces a far more serious problem of lethal firearms violence than other high-income nations. [] U.S. children are thirteen times more likely to die from a firearm homicide and eight times more likely to die of a

firearm suicide than children in comparable developed nations. There is no evidence that U.S. children are more careless, suicidal, or violent than children in other high-income nations. Rather [] they die mostly by firearms at far higher rates. (p. 13) The first step in ameliorating a public health problem is to identify what the problem is. [Here] the problem is that, year after year, more Americans are dying by gunfire than people in other high-income nation. Good firearm policy has the potential to reduce the toll of lethal firearm violence in the United States. Efforts to reduce this uniquely American problem will, however, be less effective than they could be if good policy is not accompanied by a shift in the kinds of discussions politicians, academicians, and citizens engage in about firearms. Science can provide the content and science based on better data, better content. The best chance for durable large-scale reductions in lethal violence in the United States is for all of us to commit to keeping the conversations about the costs and benefits of guns in American society civil, ongoing, and factually grounded. (p. 15) 5. What to do next: A. Write your Member of Congress or Senator regarding the following steps. How would you best phrase your email? Consensus Recommendations for Reforms to Federal Gun Policies Summarized and Condensed from (4) Fix the background check system Expand the conditions for firearm purchase Prevent trafficking and regulate dealer licensing Provide incentives to mandate childproof/personalized guns Ban the future sale of assault weapons with careful definitions Ban the future sale and possession of large-capacity magazines

B. Attend the next Baltimore City chapter of Organizing for Action, Sunday, March 17, 2013, 12-2pm, hosted by Robert Yochem, 410-929-0762, at 1340 Smith Ave, Baltimore MD 21209, outside of the Mt. Washington Whole Foods/Starbucks