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The goal of Judaism and Jewish life is the achievement of personal and national peace and harmony. Yet the Torah does not advocate radical pacifism. The Torah provides for the concept of milchemet mitzvah - a war that is an absolute necessity such as the war against Amalek (the epitome of evil incarnate in Torah terms) or a war of self-defense and self-preservation. The Torah also provides for wars that are titled milchemet reshut - wars that are permissible even if on the surface the war is not currently deemed necessary in the eyes of many. The Torah does not provide a guide as how to conduct the wars. It does allow for the complete destruction of evil such as Amalek and there are also provisions for making peace and accommodation with the enemy before the beginning of hostilities. But once the war begins there apparently is little room for a humane war, simply because there is no such animal. And the criticism of outsiders that these types of wars are unjustified because they are somehow not humane is unrealistic if not completely cruel and unwarranted. The Torah is not blind to the existence of evil in this world. It teaches that evil must be countered and fought. Since evil fights its battles in an evil fashion - certainly not in a humane fashion by any definition of the term - fighting a war against evil inevitably must fall short of being a humane war. That is simply the harsh reality of living in this imperfect, dangerous and mostly evil world.
The Torah nevertheless impresses upon us that war takes its spiritual and moral toll, even on the side that is justified in resorting to armed conflict to save itself and its way of life. King David, probably the most famous and justified warrior in Jewish history and who finally vanquished Israel’s enemies in the Land of Israel after four hundred years of conflict there, nevertheless was not allowed to build the Holy Temple in Jerusalem because of his participation in wars. Wars are necessary at times but they are never pleasant or humane. There is therefore always a penalty involved in having been engaged in fighting wars. But there are many things and situations in life that are a lose-lose situation. Then the choice is what is the greater loss and what will be the minimum loss involved. In the struggle against evil that always threatens to engulf us the lesser evil is always to confront it and defeat it. The confrontation will never meet the artificial constructs of being humane in conducting a war to outsiders or to pious pacifists, many of whom have built-in prejudices to begin with. We should always attempt to be careful not to become a cruel people. The Torah promises us that even though we will have to engage in wars, the Lord will send to you the capacity for mercy so that you will never become a cruel people. And I imagine that is the most that can be expected in the conduct of war - as humanely as possible.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.