https://www.rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/ki-teitse/to-the-third-and-fourth-generations/
In general the Sages rejected the idea that children could be punished, even at the hands of heaven, for the sins of their parents. As a result, they systematically re-interpreted every passage that gave the opposite impression, that children were indeed being punished for their parents’ sins. Their general position was this:
Are not children then to be put to death for the sins committed by their parents? Is it not written, “Visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children?” – There the reference is to children who follow in their parents footsteps (literally “seize their parents’ deeds in their hands,” i.e. commit the same sins themselves).[2]
The article mentions the most interesting source, that of Yechezkel.
ReplyDeleteThe word of the Lord came to me:
“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of
Israel: “‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set
on edge’? “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no
longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the
parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is
the one who will die.Ezekiel 18:1-4
So a later prophet can come and reveal something new, overruling the Torah?
Amazing.
And he is not greater in number or wisdom than Moshe!