New Books in Biblical Studies David Resnick, "Empowered or Abused: The Bible's Plan to Stop Battlefield Rape and Reduce Sexual Abuse" (BfoT, 2025)
May 3, 2025
David Resnick, a Rabbi and scholar in Jewish and moral education, dives into the Bible's approach to stopping battlefield rape. He discusses the Beautiful Captive Law that seeks to protect women and promote soldier accountability. Resnick emphasizes the importance of empowerment and community responsibility, revealing how these ancient teachings can be applied to modern issues of sexual abuse. He also highlights the value of incorporating biblical texts into education to foster respect and prevent sexual violence in today's society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bible's Protective Captive Law
- The Bible's beautiful captive law mandates marrying the captive woman, not immediate sexual access.
- It recognizes the soldier's lust while protecting the vulnerable woman's dignity and need for care.
Law Stops Rape And Demands Care
- The law stops battlefield rape by imposing a marriage and 30-day mourning period before intimacy.
- It re-educates the soldier to see the captive as a traumatized woman needing rehabilitation.
Captive Woman's Needs Prioritized
- The captive woman's physical and emotional needs take precedence over the soldier's lust.
- This principle is revolutionary, requiring the man's restraint despite his power.
