When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts, then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.
--Deut. 25:11,12

These verses are often cited by detractors as an example of an unjust law in Scripture. What exactly is condemned here? Why is amputation the punishment--is this not the only crime that is punished by amputation? Also, what does general equity require--are women limited in what they can do as health care workers, for example?

__________________
Scott Roper
Member, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA): "A bunch of hippie Calvinists"
Winston-Salem, NC