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Should a Jewish State Have an Army?


By Aron Moss

Question:

Should a Jewish state have an Army? Isn't it un-Jewish to kill people? How would Judaism apply the law from the Ten Commandments, "You shall not kill" in modern Israel?

Answer:

You may be surprised to learn that nowhere in the Ten Commandments or the entire Bible does it say "You shall not kill". Understanding this is vital to a true appreciation of Biblical morality.

The original Hebrew is "Lo tirtzach", which means "Do not murder". The Hebrew word for killing is "hariga", a completely different verb. There is a world of significance in this choice of words.

Murder is the taking of innocent life, which is always forbidden. Killing is the taking of any life, which is sometimes permitted or even obligatory. The Bible commands us to kill those who have irreversibly lost their innocence. There are two categories of such people:

1) Someone who is found guilty in a court of certain crimes, such as murder or kidnapping.

2) Someone who is posing a clear and direct threat to the lives of innocents. An example would be an armed gunman who breaks into someone else's home (Exodus 22:2).

I believe this is the most consistent and compassionate moral system. Above all else, innocent life is protected, both by the commandment not to murder and the commandment to kill those who are a threat to innocent people.
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Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia, and is a frequent contributor to Chabad.org.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: June 7, 2010
This is a timely topic, with the recent news.
I didn't understand why the Gaza strip was so important to Israel until I looked it up on the internet. I was so SHOCKED. People around the world don't get it. How would ANY of the other countries like it if MILLIONS of terrorists committed to their destruction were suddenly able to control their seaports? America would CERTAINLY not let those boats into our ports. In fact, after 9-11, we STRENGTHENED security, and made a law that if any enemy airplane invaded our airspace, we'd shoot them down first and ask questions later. How hypocritical of us as a nation to insist that Israel was wrong for boarding that one boat which wouldn't submit to inspection and insisted on coming into the harbor like nothing was wrong. Any terrorist can put a "PEACE BOAT" sign on their boat. Why can't the WORLD see this?
Posted By Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell, Riverside, CA
via jewishriverside.com

Posted: Nov 19, 2009
Threat of Terrorism
Hi friends

I am a friend and supporter of The State of Israel and the IDF. I have posted a comment before about this matter and of course, agree that the Divine Commandment "You Should Not Kill", only applies to the taking of "innocent lives" and not to the brave men and women who serve their country to protect "you and I" from "The Forces of Evil" e.g. "The Taliban" and other Muslim Extremist groups, who wish to threaten "civilised society". A few months ago the "Scottish Army" were in Waterloo Place, in Edinburgh and I talked with two of these gentlemen. They were delighted when I told them that I admired the essential work they were doing in Afghanistan. One soldier told me he had also served in Iraq and said it could take "ten years or more" to sort out the Taliban, who were always increasing in number. Afghan women are being killed and tortured by the "evil regime" and have begged The British and American Forces not to leave them. I hope they will remain there.

Shalom
Posted By May Millar, Edinburgh, Scotland

Posted: Oct 30, 2009
soldiering in the IDF with proud
To my dear faithful soldiers that serve IDF with all their heart and soul, may you be always be protected and proud of yourself. No matter what reason put you there, or you have, but one i know you do it for "the love of the our land,Yisrael, our people, our Torah and most of all, OUR SUVIVAL AS A PEOPLE"
Posted By Chesed Yocheved Avraham, Ariel, Israel

Posted: Oct 28, 2009
Army in Israel.
Should and as strong as posible.
Posted By Mr. Simon Istakh

Posted: Oct 26, 2009
Should Jewish State Have An Army
Sometimes, we have no choice except to defend ourselves.
Posted By Darius Stewart, Detroit, M.I.

Posted: Apr 1, 2009
Our Soldiers
Hi there friends

I was given this article by Rabbi Posner and it completely answers my question.

I am a pro-Jewish supporter of The State of Israel and the IDF and hope to come to Israel one day to meet my Jewish comrades. The Jewish interpretation of the Commandment "You shall not kill" is much superior to the Christian one. If I were thirty years younger, I would be joining The Israeli Army, as I believe they are protecting the land that "God" has given the Jews. "I would have no hesitation in "taking out" an evil terrorist who was threatening my country or my family and friends. If the Muslim Extremists tried to impose their evil system in Britain, I would kill them and not expect any bad Kharma or "Divine Retribution". May "God" bless our brave soldiers, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and those protecting Israel.

Shalom
Posted By May Millar, Edinburgh, Scotland

Posted: Feb 2, 2008
OK for Israel to have an army
Oops!!!

i said "spiritually sounded"

but I meant "spiritually wounded" !!!
Posted By Dan Goldfarb

Posted: Feb 2, 2008
Is it OK for Israel to have an army?
I cannot understand why anyone needs to ask this question. Read the Torah.

Gd specifically promises us victory in battle. So the answer is, Of course killing in battle is not murder! We are expected to have an army, if we have a country. Every country needs an army for self-defense.

And, even an individual is permitted to kill someone who is trying to kill him. The Commandment does not say Thou shalt not kill. If it said that, we could not eat meat, because we must kill it in order to eat it.

The commandment says Thou shalt not MURDER. And, self defense is not murder. And, killing as a warrior in the armed service of our country is not murder.

Summary:
It is morally painful to us, and we are spiritually sounded as well, when we kill an animal and more so if we must kill a fellow human being. But, it is not murder to slaughter an animal for food or to kill even a human being when it becomes necessary for self-defense or for the defense of our country.
Posted By Dan Goldfarb

Posted: Jan 31, 2008
The Chaim Chofetz told a father it was good for his son to learn to shoot. Today in Israel, an entire army unit is composed of observant Jews. On the on hand, learning Torah for spiritual strength. On the other hand, to hold a rifle in defense of oneself and one's country. A warrior for Israel, one learns is also a warrior for G-d.
Posted By Norman F Birnberg, Salida, USA

Posted: Oct 10, 2007
Jeremy Brendan and the modern age
For two thousand years--actually more if we count the years of Roman riulership of Judea--Jews were unable legally to field our own army or to execute criminals.
During those centuries we had to deal with the world from a position of powerlessness, which, disagreeable as it was, gave us a certain purity and innocence, in our own eyes if not in the eyes of the Christian and Muslim world. Since the reestablishment of Israel in 1948, we have had to take responsibility for both of these. This is hard for us. We want to be innocent, but a state with an army and a death penalty can never be wholly innocent. However, the alternative is a return to powerlessness and victimhood. All the other nations had armies even before the modern age!. Israel is surrounded by enemies who want to destroy us. The Torah promises victory, not victimhood. It also says we must choose life for ourselves first and then for others. Self defense is OK, personally AND nationally..
Posted By Leah Hamburger, Baton Rouge, LA



 


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