An Eye for an Eye

I got this book on a whim after having read several of Rabbi Telushkin's other works. I have to admit that were I not Jewish, I'd be lost on the point of view expressed in the book in regards to the death penalty, or I'd at least think it rather simplistic. The main character is well developed; the emotions of the father of the murdered girl are well represented, however, the other characters could use some serious development. They were likable enough, but I must admit that likable characters are not what make a good read. I liked the inclusion of a portion of the article written by the main character in the epilogue. I wish that the whole article had been included.

A young college girl, Donna Braun, is murdered. Her murderer is sentenced a few years prison time in thanks to his corrupt defense attorney Leonard Goode, the quintessential self-hating Jew. Although this is a work of fiction, it accurately reflects the failures of the American justice system in executing justice for murderers. Murder victims Jennifer Levin (whom Telushkin mentions in the acknowledgments section), Ronald Goldman, Nicole Brown Simpson, and rabbinical student Yankel Rosenbaum are four examples that easily come to mind, as their murderers all walk today as free men. But "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6), and Braun's father takes the law into his own hands, killing his daughter's murderer. Shortly thereafter, there is yet another killing, and Rabbi Winter sets off to prove Braun's innocence in the third killing and find the real killer. In this final book of the Rabbi Daniel Winter Mystery Series, Rabbi Telushkin explores the Torah's perspective on justice, revenge, retribution, and capital punishment. We also learn a great deal about the tragic situation of the aguna, the woman who cannot remarry either because her husband refuses to grant a divorce or his whereabouts are unknown to do so. The book ends with Rabbi Winter's article, "An Eye for an Eye: Some Twentieth-Century Reflections" explaining "the conflict between Judaism's priorities and those of American law." I found An Eye for an Eye to be a testament, impassioned plea, and defense of the moral legitimacy and necessity of capital punishment, but it is so much more-- thought provoking, challenging, wise, humorous, and suspenseful.