Q&A: Humanitarian Aid
Humanitarian Aid
Question
Hello,
Part A of the question:
From the standpoint of Jewish law, when our sons who are fighting are being killed by the enemy day after day, and when it is known with certainty that humanitarian aid is also actually reaching the enemy, is it permissible to continue this?
Part B of the question:
When there is a reasonable chance that the humanitarian aid will fall into the enemy’s hands (for example, into the hands of declared Hamas members, or those pretending to be uninvolved civilians, or those who will profiteer from the aid until it reaches the enemy, etc.), and our sons who are fighting continue to be killed by the enemy day after day, is it permissible to continue this?
Please, a halakhic answer!
Answer
This has nothing to do with Jewish law. It is not practical to avoid aid.
Discussion on Answer
If it endangers us, then of course there is no obligation, and perhaps it is even forbidden. In terms of the sources, I think they generally do not discuss supplying the enemy at all. The norms back then were different. What is the point of this unnecessary discussion?
To examine our actions, which perhaps we have gotten used to without justified reason, and to check whether we are indeed acting according to Jewish law, which commands, “If someone comes to kill you, rise early to kill him,” in every way.
To raise awareness against callousness and helplessness, in the hope of stopping the murder of our sons by our own hands.
By the way,
1. This is not far from our aiding murder.
(Of our sons.)
A very grave transgression according to the Torah as well.
2. When you mentioned “norms” in your second answer, which norms did you mean?
We have never heard of such a norm among the nations of the world: to assist the enemy.
Neither a norm nor morality.
1. “Not practical” is a political answer.
2. After all, it’s also possible to answer on a theoretical level. Is it permissible to supply food and medicine to the enemy?