"In obligatory wars, everyone goes, even a groom from his room and a bride from her wedding canopy." Defending the land of Israel, especially in existential conflicts, is seen as a mitzvah, a divinely mandated obligation

 

עֵדוּת ה' נֶאֱמָנָה, מַחְכִּימַת פֶּתִי

 

Editorial:

I see a profound connection between Matan Torah, Shavuot, and the ongoing war in Israel, integrating them into a unified narrative of faith, identity, and defense.

The concept of Milchemet Mitzvah underscores the sanctity of defending the land of Israel. The struggles and wars faced by Israel are not merely political but are imbued with spiritual significance. Defending the land and its people aligns with the Torah’s commandments to protect life and pursue justice.

 Sotah:44b

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים — בְּמִלְחֲמוֹת הָרְשׁוּת, אֲבָל בְּמִלְחֲמוֹת מִצְוָה — הַכֹּל יוֹצְאִין, אֲפִילּוּ חָתָן מֵחֶדְרוֹ וְכַלָּה מֵחוּפָּתָהּ. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים — בְּמִלְחֲמוֹת מִצְוָה, אֲבָל בְּמִלְחֲמוֹת חוֹבָה — הַכֹּל יוֹצְאִין, אֲפִילּוּ חָתָן מֵחֶדְרוֹ וְכַלָּה מֵחוּפָּתָהּ.

 

The Mishna adds: In what case are all of these statements, with regard to the various exemptions from war, said? They are said with regard to elective wars. But in wars whose mandate is a mitzva, everyone goes, even a groom from his room and a bride from her wedding canopy. Rabbi Yehuda said: In what case are all of these statements, with regard to the various exemptions from war, said? They are said with regard to wars whose mandate is a mitzva. But in obligatory wars, everyone goes, even a groom from his room and a bride from her wedding canopy.

 

 The concept of Milchemet Mitzvah (obligatory war) and Milchemet Reshut (optional war), as discussed in the Talmud (Sotah 44b), provides a framework for understanding the Jewish approach to warfare. Defending the land of Israel, especially in existential conflicts, is seen as a mitzvah, a divinely mandated obligation.

The current security situation in Israel is viewed through this lens. The continuous threats and acts of aggression necessitate a response that is both just and effective, aligning with the Torah’s teachings on preserving life and justice.

The interplay between Matan Torah, Shavuot, and the war in Israel encapsulates the holistic vision of the  Orthodox Jewish perspective. It sees the divine revelation at Sinai and its annual commemoration during Shavuot as foundational to Jewish life and faith. Simultaneously, it recognizes the sanctity and necessity of defending the Jewish homeland, viewing these actions as a continuation of the covenantal relationship with God.

In this unified narrative, the Jewish people’s commitment to Torah and their resilience in the face of conflict are intertwined, reflecting an enduring legacy of faith, identity, and survival. This perspective not only honors the past but also provides a guiding framework for navigating contemporary challenges, ensuring the continuity and vitality of Jewish life in Israel and throughout the diaspora.

Chag Sameach.