The Torah is grievously misunderstood in many ways. One prominent example is with regard to capital punishment. Because it prescribes the death penalty for a wide variety of what we now see as victimless crimes, it is perceived as harsh, unduly retributive, and unjust. However, from a careful review of the text it seems clear that while the Pentateuch is expressing a profound aversion to and condemnation of such sins as Sabbath desecration, the Almighty did not wish the Israelites to be executed for them.
Accordingly, the Torah expressly incorporates evidentiary and procedural hurdles that would make executions quite rare. The Talmudic rabbis added to these safeguards in such a way as to essentially abolish the death penalty. This short video explains this progression in more depth.
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