Lecture Ludhiana — Page 52
52 surrendering what is left to the invader who has already grabbed a part of the country. Similarly, it would imply surrendering ten more officials after one is arrested. These indeed are the defects which render such teachings im- practicable. Their only vindication could be that they were meant for a particular period and became inapplicable when the situation changed. The Jews were enslaved for as long as four hundred years. The life of bondage made them callous and vindictive. It is but natural for the morals of a people to assume the complexion of the ethos of the reigning monarch. For instance, during the Sikh rule, most people took to ban- ditry, while in the British rule, education and civic sense are gaining ground with everyone contributing to the effort. The Israelites living under the Pharaoh were brutalized, so in the days of the Torah justice became the need. The Jews, unaware of justice as they were, had become unjust and cruel by habit. They had come to believe that knocking out a tooth for a tooth was not only essential, but obligatory. Hence God taught them that justice alone was not enough, compassion was also necessary. That is why when slapped on one cheek, they were instructed through Jesus as to offer the other as well. But when too much stress was laid on this, God at long last caused this teaching to attain true consummation in the person of the Holy Prophet sa which was none other than that recompense of injury is injury in equal measure, however, he who forgives, provided forgiveness leads to