Q&A: Going Out to War
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Going Out to War
Question
By what law is a private individual allowed to go out to war? After all, it involves danger to life (and even if we say it is only a possible danger to life, there is a dispute about whether that is permitted), and the Torah says, “and live by them”?
Thank you
Answer
Is this a serious question? I find that hard to believe.
1. In Jewish law there are wars, not only “and live by them.”
2. Try the policy you are proposing. One thing is certain: you will not be here to check whether you were right. The laws of danger to life lead one to go out to war, not to refrain from it.