But even from a goyishe point of view, ‘morally’ <ask PAA if that has any merit to exist>, I hold that punishment purely for the sake of revenge is almost* pointless. There is no reason to punish somebody for past deeds. What have you to gain? What has he to gain? The concept of vengeance, the way I see it from a purely moral standpoint, is baseless.
I accept your point that you were talking from a Jewish standpoint. But you seem to pin the entire concept of punishment from a ‘goyishe’ position as vengeance. I would say that, in the absence, choliloh, of a Jewish standpoint, there is still a requirement for the abuser to receive punishment. This does not have to be solely motivated by vengeance, but by a society saying that this crime deserves this punishment, and that this abuser deserves, and therefore is, punished. The fact that there may be an extra ulterior motive of revenge is irrelevant, as that is not the driving force. I hope I haven’t posted prematurely, having not had the chance to observe the rest of the thread yet.