THE IDF - A TORAH OBLIGATION? By RABBI SHLOMO AVINER. Published by Arutz Sheva National Radio on Jan.15, 1997.
The following is a summary of the
article:
There is in fact a tremendous value and a great mitzvah involved in serving
in the IDF. This commandment is divided into three parts, as Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda
Kook, of blessed memory, wrote in May 1948, in exhorting the students of
his yeshiva to enlist in the newly-formed Israel Defense Forces during the
War of Independence:
1. SAVING LIFE
Not only are we bidden to preserve life, but there is also a negative
commandment: "Do not stand by your neighbor's blood." This is a clear and
fundamental prohibition in the Torah.
In any event, it is a great sin to stand idly by when one is in danger - and certainly when the whole Nation of Israel is at stake. Just as Mordechai told Esther in the Purim story: "You, Esther, must endanger yourself to save Israel; and if you don't, Israel will still be saved - but you won't."
2. TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
The Torah commands us, "You shall inherit the Land" - we are enjoined to
ensure that the Land of Israel remains under Jewish sovereignty (Ramban).
By soldiering the IDF soldier is saving both the Nation and the Land. He
is accomplishing two of the highest-ranking mitzvot (commandments) at
once!
3. IN THE EYES OF THE NATIONS
The third aspect of the value of service in the Israeli army is what is called
Kiddush Hashem - "Sanctification of G-d's Name."
This mitzvah can also be accomplished
on a national scale, as we see in Chapter 36 of Ezekiel, where is written
as follows:
"I scattered the People of Israel among the nations,
and when they came into the nations, they profaned My holy Name, in that
people said of them, these are the people of the Lord, and they have left
their Land."
When Israel is in Exile, this is a desecration of G-d's Name. For the entire world knows that Israel is the People of G-d, and they know that our Land is the Land of G-d. When the People of G-d are not found at home in the Land of G-d, the world views it as if Jewish History has failed, as if G-d has labored in vain, heaven forbid!
The return to Zion is itself a sanctification
of G-d's Name.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Editor Holy Land _inc
To: Rabbi David Samson
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 12:01 PM
Subject: Ask the Rabbi
Dear Rabbi David
My burning question is: "Why don't the Rabbis discern that the Elohim
of Israel and Allah of Islam cannot possibly be the same God?" Allah
is a false god as far as I am concerned!!!!!!!
Talking about the three monotheistic religions to me, is absolute nonsense,
the G-d of Israel himself said, "let US make man in our image...!" It's true,
he is ONE, but a multiple ONE, he has a SON or a body also symbolized by
Abraham's ram in the bush. Even His Spirit is 7-fold! In contrast El (Allah)
of Islam says emphatically, "I don't have a son!" In other words, he is just
a spirit represented by a rock in Mecca and another one on the Temple Mount.
His prophet, Mohammad also doesn't qualify to be a prophet of the G-d of
Israel -- see http://zionsake.tripod.com/prophet.html.
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu) told Arutz-7 on Sunday that
they will still not join the government because Arial Sharon still doesn't
have a goal. He just chases terrorists like Pres. Bush without addressing
what indoctrinates them into sacrificing their lives. (Another difference
between the Gods: The G-d of Israel needs his people to glorify him for what
he does for them, while Allah needs his people to do things for him - like
killing infidels and taking their land, holy and high places).
An interview with a spokesman of the IDF on BBC this morning also reflects
this lack of vision of the Sharon government: the BBC interviewer could just
not get a clear answer to his question, "...where will arresting thousands
of suspects get you...?" - since there will just be others in their place!
I actually read something in the same vein this morning in
1 Kings 14:33 Even after this, Jeroboam did not change
his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all
sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for
the high places.
In stead therefore, of bombing empty PA buildings and arresting (and releasing)
thousands of people, Israel should do what Moshe was commanded, namely to
resist this foreign god by going after his priests and destroying his shrines
- destroy a suicide bomber's mosque! That's where his and Arafat's inspiration
comes from!!!!!!!!!
The instructions to Moshe were very clear : [1]
Not to tolerate foreign gods in His
land - Psalm 81:9 You shall have no
foreign god among you...!! [2] NOT
to make peace treaties or divide the land. See
Scriptures.
That is my view, I would very, very much appreciate it if you would address
this all important question for the future existence of Israel under a heading
like: "DOES JUDAISM AND ISLAM HAVE THE SAME GOD?"
Yours sincerely for Zion's sake.
Evn Perach
Editor
http://holyland-inc.tripod.com
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