The Biblical Meaning of "Holiness" - That Isn't Yours!
About this episode
The episode explores the true meaning of 'holiness' in the context of moral education for children, critiquing various approaches to teaching right and wrong.
I have watched ridiculous ways of explaining why things are right and wrong to small kids --which indicates that most adults have no clue themselves. I've watch the "rational consequences" approach, giving kids long multiple-choice decisions while teasing out each's consequences --while kids stare blankly. I have watched the Golden Role approach -- really? How about the new trend of Empathy and Restorative Justice? It sounds wonderful, except that it backfires: most kids aren't naturally empathetic, and restorative justice usually just revictimizes the victim. How about we go to the core meaning of "holy" in the Holiness Code of Leviticus: "That doesn't exist for your benefit." (That toy wasn't yours to consider playing with! That yard wasn't yours to go in! That turn wasn't yours to take! etc.)
People in this episode
Host: Rabbi Nadav Caine
Topics covered
- holiness
- morality
- education
- children
- Leviticus
- empathy
- justice
Keywords
- holiness
- Leviticus
- morality
- children
- empathy
- restorative justice
- education
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Holiness Code of Leviticus
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