Religions for Peace Latin America and the Caribbean, in alliance with UNICEF summoned Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca to participate in an event where twelve religious, spiritual leaders and representatives spoke about “The role of religions in the prevention of corporal punishment as a means of discipline for boys and girls”.
Various topics related to child violence were addressed: education, types of violence, mea culpa, new hermeneutics, the meaning of religion and paternity/maternity, among other topics.
«”The problem of aggression in the field of education, whether physical, emotional or psychological, is not a problem that comes from religion. It is a problem that comes from human errors”, stressed Sacca.
We must resume and rediscover how religion promotes the family, educational and community bond in young people through affection, love and guidance.
In the Jewish religion, in all the sacred texts, there is no case of a father, teacher, rabbi or prophet physically or psychologically punishing his disciples. On the contrary, affection and concern are constantly shown. This is written in the chapter of the Shema Yisrael, where the mechanism of coexistence and dialogue with children is pondered through love to educate and not aggression. Beyond this, assault is a biblical prohibition: someone can only be punished for a crime committed after a trial, within the framework of the corresponding legal procedures (Deuteronomy 25:3); from there, the rabbis extract the prohibition of harming anyone outside of that very restricted scope (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Chovel uMazik 5:1). This is no different in educational settings. Putting order and discipline is correct; but attacking is prohibited and counterproductive.
We must resume and rediscover how religion promotes the family, educational and community bond in young people through affection, love and guidance.
