Turning the Cheek Jesus's Teaching on Pacifism
Was Jesus a Pacifist? Understanding Jewish law helps uncover missing context behind his famous teaching about 'turning the other cheek." We explore why this teaching assumes a Torah community, and what happens when it is applied outside of one.
In his autobiography¹, Gandhi shared his appreciation of Jesus's teachings, stating:
"... the New Testament produced a different impression, especially the Sermon on the Mount which went straight to my heart. I compared it with the [Bhagavad]gita. The verses, "But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also"... delighted me beyond measure"
These words may have inspired Gandhi's famously non-violent approach to civil protest. Many others too. I have personally found that some parts of the modern church have understood these passages to support the stance of passivity.
But we should remember that Jesus also flipped tables. He chased moneychangers with whips, and once told his students to buy a sword. If you struggle to harmonize these teachings, you are not alone.
Let's look through a Jewish lens to understand the missing context.