Rabbi Nordman Contrasts Jewish Law with German Court on Human Dignity
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Rabbi Tzvi Nurdman visited the German Federal Constitutional Court and contrasted its rulings on human dignity with Jewish law. He discussed a ruling that prevents intercepting hijacked planes, even as weapons, citing the Holocaust's influence on German judges. Nurdman argued that Jewish tradition offers a more balanced moral compass for complex ethical dilemmas, referencing the biblical story of Rebecca. He also linked current events in Frankfurt to a principle of not showing mercy to the cruel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Tzvi Nurdman visited the German Federal Constitutional Court and EU leadership.
- The German court ruled human dignity is absolute, preventing interception of hijacked planes.
- Judges cited the Holocaust as a reason for their extreme stance on human dignity.
- Nurdman argued Jewish law provides a balanced moral compass for complex dilemmas.
- He connected the court's decisions to disturbances by Muslim migrants in Frankfurt.
Rabbi Tzvi Nurdman described a recent transatlantic journey that included meetings with European Union leadership in Strasbourg and a visit to Germany's Federal Constitutional Court. During discussions with German judges, he encountered a system grappling with the definition of human dignity. Nurdman highlighted what he perceives as the unique ability of Jewish "Torat Yisrael" to offer a balanced and relevant perspective on complex ethical dilemmas.
The article references a recent incident where a flight from Dubai to Israel was officially recognized as a nationalistic attack attempt. The plane, with a full passenger load, was reportedly under the hostile control of the co-pilot, prompting Israel to prepare for interception if it continued towards the country. The author notes this near-disaster ended with a "visible miracle."
Nurdman connected this event to a significant ruling by the German court he visited. Since 2006, the court has invalidated a law that would have permitted the Israeli Air Force to shoot down a hijacked aircraft, even if it were being used as a weapon against populated areas. The judges ruled that "human dignity is absolute" and that "one life cannot be weighed against thousands." They acknowledged the difficulty of this decision, stating that after the Holocaust, they felt compelled to move to the opposite extreme.
When Nurdman questioned this stance, asking about the moral implications of a plane carrying a bomb capable of destroying entire cities, the judges' response revealed the influence of historical trauma on human law. He argued that a legal system influenced by past atrocities might err on the side of inaction, even at the cost of destruction, whereas "Torat Yisrael" offers a middle path, guided by divine wisdom rather than fluctuating emotions or historical trauma. The Torah, he explained, provides clear guidelines, recognizing that targeted, difficult actions can sometimes be the most moral and life-saving.
Nurdman then linked this to the weekly Torah portion, "Toldot," and the biblical story of Rebecca's pregnancy. He interpreted Rebecca's seeking divine guidance as a model for confronting conflicting values and uncertainties. He concluded by observing disturbances by Muslim migrants in Frankfurt, which he attributed to a lenient policy, reinforcing the adage, "Whoever shows mercy to the cruel will eventually be cruel to the merciful." He asserted that "Torat Chaim" (the Torah of Life) provides a living, eternal, and balanced moral compass.