- Family and Society
- The State and Government of Israel
Ransom and Terrorists
Question
What is the Jewish response to a 21st-century ransom issue and dealing with Islamic terrorists?
Answer
It is clear from the Bible that Judaism believes in fighting terror and our enemies and thus deterring them, to prevent evil before it raises its head. Avraham didn't offer ransom, but rather chased and freed Lot from his abductors (Breishit 14). Our rabbis teach (Gittin 45a) that it's forbidden to pay more ransom than the kidnapped is worth (e.g. 1 prisoner exchanged for 1 prisoner), otherwise it encourages the evil to do so again and again (just after war, we can free all of our prisoners in exchange for all of their's, even though, BH we always capture more than they do). We're very happy that Gilad Shalit is free, but halachically, to free many terrorists in exchange for less hostages, is prohibited for as we have seen, they often return to attack others, and who is to say that the freed hostage is more important than the Jews who may be killed in the future?!

Is Zionism bad for religious Jews?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 26, 5782

Jerusalem in the Talmud
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 22, 5776

Mishna Brura referring to State of Israel?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar II 25, 5774

Mizrachi Jews and Zionism
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 2, 5781

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Orla
Shevat 19, 5771

Writing a Torah Scroll in English
Adar II 25, 5771

Keeping non-definite chametz and staying in a dorm
Nisan 3, 5771

baruch hamavdil
Adar I 23, 5771

Washing hands and touching clothes
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 24, 5780

Cornbread
Rabbi Eliezer S. Weisz | 9 Av 5764

Woman davening after zeman
Various Rabbis | 16 Elul 5767

Woman davening after zeman
Various Rabbis | 16 Elul 5767
Praying with people placing Tefillin on forehead?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783

Dairy mug and meat sponge
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Shevat 10, 5783
Apartment Eviction
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783
