Don't Respond Rashly: Moshe's Measured Approach to the Blasphemer

    Parashat Emor concludes with the incident of the megadef, the individual who publicly blasphemed God, for which he was sentenced to execution.  The Torah relates that the blasphemer was first held in custody as Moshe awaited God’s instructions how to proceed, and God indeed spoke to Moshe and commanded that the violator be executed (24:12-14).

            Various reasons have been suggested for why Moshe – who presumably was aware of the fact that blasphemy is regarded as a capital crime – waited for an explicit directive from God before issuing the sentence.  One explanation, suggested by Rav Yehuda Leib Ginsburg in his Yalkut Yehuda, has to do with the fact that the megadef was an Egyptian who had joined Benei Yisrael.  Moshe thought that the capital sentence should perhaps be suspended in order to avoid the impression that it was the result of Benei Yisrael’s contempt for foreigners and outsiders.  Knowing how strongly the Torah emphasizes the proper treatment of foreigners, Moshe hesitated and was not prepared to issue the death sentence until he received God’s clear instruction.  Although the culprit’s guilt was clearly determined, Moshe was reluctant to issue the sentence out of concern for how it might be misperceived.

            Moshe’s hesitation perhaps provides us with important guidance to be followed even now, when we do not have a system of corporal and capital punishment.  Often the need arises to protest and decry improper behavior or other kinds of “blasphemy.”  Moshe’s reluctance to sentence the megadef might demonstrate the need to carefully consider the potential results of protest and condemnation, including its effect on our nation’s image in the eyes of others.  As in the case of the megadef, it may indeed be determined that condemnation is warranted and appropriate under the circumstances.  But nevertheless, Moshe’s hesitation reminds us that the decision to make public protests must be taken patiently and carefully, with a keen sensitivity to their potential repercussions and possible impact upon our image and reputation.  In short, not everything worthy of protest should in fact be protested.  At times, overriding concerns and considerations warrant keeping silent and avoiding controversy even in the face of “blasphemy.”