Replies

1. "I think your interpretation is ONE possible interpretation."

It is the only interpretation utilized by Jews for 3,000+ years of Talmudic study, and the interpretation I was taught while studying in Yeshiva.

Here it is expanded out from the NIV; it's pretty clear:

"18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard." 21 Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid."

It is also the only interpretation consistent with the principal of interpretation of mitzvot (commands) that, if you are reading mitzvah so that it is inconsistent with another mitzvah, you are reading one or both wrong.

Here, there are several very clear mitzvot concerning punishment of disobedient children (spare the rod, for example), which would be superfluous, if death was really the appropriate punishment for young child.

There are also numerous recorded (written) debates of specific cases between Rabbis regarding whether capital punishment should be implemented, and, with rare, rare exception always the lesser punishments described have been implemented (sort of the "common law" of Jews).

2. Regarding the Leviticus quote, look for the PASSIVE verb:

"For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him."

I say look for the PASSIVE verb, because this is a WARNING, not a command. (Also, in Hebrew, this "curse" is not merely cuss-word; it's "being a curse.")

We can dishonor our parents through stubbornness, mocking, scorning, angrily talking back to them, thievery, and violence, among others.

God's point here is that those who are a curse upon their parents will eventually be punished by death, shame, disgrace, darkness of understanding (ignorance), and destruction.

It is a warning that such behavior will be punished BY GOD. NOT A MITZVAH that you should punish such people. That is God's job.

3. "At least you are willing to interpret the words."

I am a genetically-proven Kohanim. So it's my job.