Avram in MD,
1.) I agree with you that imprisonment for non violent offenses in generally counterproductive, immoral and disgusting. I am sure that in 200 years people will look back at the American penal system (not the Judicial system itself though) and point out how barbaric and counter productive it is and I would agree with them.
2.) I agree with you that we are simply going to have to agree to disagree as to what it seems like the Rambam is saying would be required for lashes. I’m not sure I understand where your coming from and I don’t think you are understanding me. Either way we and all Orthodox Jews today agree that a woman cannot be beaten for ANY reason so the entire conversation is academic anyway.
3.) I do not think whatever the woman brought into the marriage is hers if she arbitrarily walks out on her husband. Doesn’t that only happen in the case of divorce? (I know I may be wrong here, please correct me if I am)
My point with all this was that I was trying to show Lior (who was insisting that if your wife gets into a fight with your parents you are obligated to honor and listen to your parents over her) that it is indisputable that certain practical aspects of Halachos change over time. He (wisely for him) did not respond! 🙂