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Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- A Nation and its Halachot
- Army and War
Translated by Hillel Fendel
[Ed. note] This question was asked some 16 years ago, but the message of its response is unfortunately still relevant.
Question: Following the Expulsion from Gush Katif, there has been talk of late of a possible need to reconquer this area, from which terrorists continually fire rockets at Israel. Must I, as a soldier, agree to this? Just because the Prime Minister made a ridiculous decision to leave, saying that we will return if we have to, does this justify forcing us simple soldiers to be the ones to carry out this dangerous and nonsensical policy? Is the value of "unity" within Israel important enough that I have to endanger my life for it? And why need we enter Gaza altogether; why can't we just bomb them from the air, and not have to endanger ourselves?
Answer: These are very weighty questions. You are right that the withdrawal from Gaza was essentially a gift to the terrorists, enabling them to fire at us easily. You are also right that in times of war, there is no such thing as "innocent bystanders" among the enemy. Jewish Law states that if terrorists are in a building, the structure must be bombed, without consideration of who else in the building might be killed.
On the other hand, if our government decides to execute a mission in order to reduce terrorism, this is a very important thing, and one must not refuse an order to take part in it. It is inconceivable that every soldier will decide for himself what missions he is willing to participate in and which ones not. The only orders we can and must refuse are those that negate a Torah commandment. Otherwise, we must carry out all orders.
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[Ed. note] This question was asked some 16 years ago, but the message of its response is unfortunately still relevant.
Question: Following the Expulsion from Gush Katif, there has been talk of late of a possible need to reconquer this area, from which terrorists continually fire rockets at Israel. Must I, as a soldier, agree to this? Just because the Prime Minister made a ridiculous decision to leave, saying that we will return if we have to, does this justify forcing us simple soldiers to be the ones to carry out this dangerous and nonsensical policy? Is the value of "unity" within Israel important enough that I have to endanger my life for it? And why need we enter Gaza altogether; why can't we just bomb them from the air, and not have to endanger ourselves?
Answer: These are very weighty questions. You are right that the withdrawal from Gaza was essentially a gift to the terrorists, enabling them to fire at us easily. You are also right that in times of war, there is no such thing as "innocent bystanders" among the enemy. Jewish Law states that if terrorists are in a building, the structure must be bombed, without consideration of who else in the building might be killed.
On the other hand, if our government decides to execute a mission in order to reduce terrorism, this is a very important thing, and one must not refuse an order to take part in it. It is inconceivable that every soldier will decide for himself what missions he is willing to participate in and which ones not. The only orders we can and must refuse are those that negate a Torah commandment. Otherwise, we must carry out all orders.
In order to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox every week, subscribe to the Israel National Torah newsletter here.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
