Q&A: Looting During Wartime
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Looting During Wartime
Question
Hello Rabbi Michael Abraham,
In the current war in Gaza, most of the forces are staying in civilian buildings that have been cleared, and many belongings were left there by people who fled the area (private homes, schools, etc.). Is there any halakhic discussion regarding taking those items? Under military law this is forbidden, but is there also a halakhic perspective on it?
Thank you very much
Answer
There is a prohibition against stealing from a non-Jew. True, within the context of war there is permission for looting and taking spoils, but these are ancient norms that were derived from the warfare norms of those times. Today the situation is different.
My understanding is that according to some of the medieval authorities (Rishonim), looting is actually a commandment: "and you shall consume the spoil of your enemies,"
and if one did not loot, then he has neglected a positive commandment.
And there are opinions that it is even a commandment to eat, as it says: "and you shall consume"
even if it is not kosher,
and even if the military rabbinate has provided plenty of tasty kosher food, there is still a law to eat the enemy's food.
And apparently an olive-sized portion is enough.