The saying is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “If we practice an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless.”

I thought of these words when reading about the killings of teenagers in Israel/Palestine, both Israeli and Palestinian.

As I understand it, the original commandment in the Old Testament about requiring recompense for injury (“eye for eye” and so on) was originally intended to require ONLY strict accounting for a wrongdoing. The purpose was the avoidance of revenge reprisals that often spiral out of control.

Christ set the bar higher for his followers: “But I say to you, Love your enemies . . .”

I thought of his command when I read another quote:

“Whether Jew or Arab, who can accept the kidnapping and killing of his son or daughter? I call on both sides to stop the bloodshed.”

–HUSSEIN ABU KHDEIR, a Palestinian whose 16-year-old son was found dead a day after the burial of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped and killed. Quoted in The New York Times.

Shall we continue taking child for child until no children are left?