Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the 'stubborn and rebellious son' (Deuteronomy 21:20) refer to in Jewish law?
A: The 'stubborn and rebellious son' (בן סורר ומורה) refers to a very specific legal case in Jewish law where a young man consistently disobeys his parents by engaging in gluttony and drunkenness. According to the Talmud (Sanhedrin 71a), this law was almost never applied in practice due to its extremely strict conditions, but it serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of unchecked behavior and the importance of proper parenting.
Q: Why does the Torah mention bringing the rebellious son to the elders of the city?
A: The Torah requires bringing the rebellious son to the elders (זקני העיר) to emphasize the seriousness of the situation and the need for communal involvement in maintaining moral standards. Rashi explains that this public process serves as both a warning and an opportunity for correction before severe consequences are enacted (Rashi on Deuteronomy 21:19).
Q: What can we learn from the law of the rebellious son in Deuteronomy 21:20?
A: The law teaches the importance of early intervention in a child's moral development. Rambam (Hilchot Mamrim 7:1-2) explains that the Torah's extreme example highlights how small negative behaviors, if left unchecked, can lead to severe consequences. It underscores the parents' responsibility to guide their children properly before bad habits become ingrained.
Q: How does Jewish tradition interpret the terms 'glutton and drunkard' in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 70b) defines these terms very precisely: 'glutton' (זולל) refers to someone who steals money to eat meat and drink wine excessively, while 'drunkard' (סובא) indicates habitual drunkenness. These are not occasional lapses, but persistent, addictive behaviors that show complete disregard for moral boundaries and parental authority.
Q: Does the law of the rebellious son apply today?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 71a) states that this law never actually occurred and never will occur, as the strict conditions (including both parents being alive, having identical voices, etc.) make it practically impossible. However, as the Ramban explains, it remains in the Torah as an eternal moral lesson about the importance of education, discipline, and preventing children from developing destructive behaviors (Ramban on Deuteronomy 21:18).
The Case of the Ben Sorer U'Moreh (Stubborn and Rebellious Son)
The verse (Devarim 21:20) describes the rare and extreme case of a ben sorer u'moreh - a stubborn and rebellious son who is brought before the elders of the city for judgment. According to the Talmud (Sanhedrin 71a), this situation was so uncommon that it never actually occurred in practice, yet the Torah includes it to teach profound moral lessons.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that the parents must bring their son before the ziknei ha'ir (elders of the city) only after specific conditions are met:
Philosophical Significance
The Rambam (Hilchos Mamrim 7:1-2) explains that the Torah prescribes such severe punishment (death by stoning) not for the actual crimes committed, but as a preventative measure. Based on the trajectory of his behavior, the Torah foresees that such a person would inevitably descend into violent crime and therefore intervenes early.
Halachic Requirements
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 68b-72a) outlines numerous specific requirements that made this law nearly impossible to implement:
Moral Lessons
The Midrash (Tanchuma Ki Teitzei 1) teaches that this law comes to emphasize the critical importance of proper child-rearing. Even though the case never actually occurred, the Torah presents it to warn parents about: