Q&A: Going Out to an Obligatory War
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Going Out to an Obligatory War
Question
Does the rule that “everyone goes out to an obligatory war” also create an obligation to undergo basic training and military preparation?
If so, when does that obligation take effect? Does the duty to enlist for basic training and preparation begin the moment a war starts, or is there an obligation to do basic training and preparation even when there is no war, in order to be ready to go out to war?
Answer
This whole pilpul is based on a misunderstanding. The obligation to go out to an obligatory war of the type of coming to Israel’s aid against an attacking enemy comes from the laws of saving life, and not because this is some independent commandment, and those laws are what determine who goes out and when. See also Column 609.