As of this writing, Israel has been at war for nearly 11 months. On October 7th, 2023, the world witnessed a horrific attack when thousands of armed Hamas militants infiltrated Israel. In a brutal and inhumane assault, they tortured, raped, mutilated, and murdered 1,200 innocent Israeli citizens, including the young and elderly. Over 240 hostages were taken, including babies, old men, and women. This was not just a declaration of war; it was an attack carried out in the most barbaric manner imaginable. Since then, Israel has been engaged in what many have called a war for its survival.
These events naturally raise important questions: What does the Bible say about war? Are there guidelines for how it should be conducted?
The Torah portion of Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9) offers a detailed framework for the conduct of war, combining practical military directives with profound ethical and moral principles. These verses reveal that even when war is unavoidable, the sanctity of life and the pursuit of peace must remain central. While war may sometimes be necessary, it is never ideal.
The Bible opens its discussion on war with a reassuring promise:
This verse underscores the belief that God is closely involved in the fate of His people, even in war. However, this divine involvement does not free humans from their moral responsibilities. Instead, it places even greater importance on waging war with justice and righteousness.
The Bible acknowledges that some wars are divinely ordained, such as the conquest of Canaan, where the Israelites were commanded to eliminate the inhabitants to prevent their corrupt ways from influencing the emerging nation. The Jerusalem Talmud, however, notes that these nations were first given the opportunity to repent and accept the Seven Noahide Laws—a universal moral code. Only if they refused to abandon their sinful practices was the command to destroy them carried out. This emphasizes a key principle in Jewish thought: war is a last resort, pursued only after all possibilities for peace and repentance have been exhausted.
This is further emphasized in Deuteronomy 20:10:
This verse stresses that the primary goal is not destruction, but the establishment of peace. War, then, is not an end in itself, but a regrettable necessity to protect innocent lives or preserve moral order.
The pursuit of peace is also highlighted by the prophet Isaiah, who envisions a future where the Messiah will bring about universal peace:
This prophetic vision reflects the ultimate Jewish hope—a world where war is obsolete and peace reigns.
In addition to upholding peace, the Bible stresses the importance of maintaining purity and sanctity during war:
This directive extends beyond physical cleanliness; it includes a call for moral and ethical conduct even in battle. Troops are commanded to avoid depraved behavior and maintain a high level of moral integrity, as reflected in the verse:
This focus on sanctity during war serves as a reminder that the divine presence is with the people, even in conflict. Soldiers are expected to act with the understanding that their actions are observed by God, and they must maintain the holiness of the camp to ensure divine favor. This directive is taken very seriously, earning Israel’s army the reputation of being the most moral army in the world.
Judaism’s respect for the sanctity of life, based on the Bible, is further emphasized in a law discussed by Maimonides. In discussing siege warfare, he instructs that a city should not be completely surrounded; an escape route must always be left open for those who wish to flee. This law reflects the principle that even in war, unnecessary loss of life should be avoided wherever possible.
The Bible makes it clear that war is never ideal. While sometimes necessary, it must always be conducted with the utmost regard for morality and the sanctity of life. Unlike those who glorify violence and destruction, the Bible teaches that every life—Jewish or gentile—is precious, created in the image of God.
The brutal attack carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7th stands in stark contrast to these biblical principles. Where the Torah advocates for the preservation of life and the pursuit of peace, these terrorists glorified death and destruction, targeting the most vulnerable members of society with no regard for human dignity. This barbarity is far removed from the ethics of war as outlined in the Bible, which calls for restraint, moral conduct, and respect for life, even in conflict.
According to the Bible, the ultimate goal of war is peace. This is not just the end of hostilities, but a deeper, more profound peace where the tools of war are transformed into instruments for nurturing life, as Isaiah prophesied. May we soon see the fulfillment of this vision, when all nations will beat their swords into plowshares, and war will be no more.
Allowing a Palestinian terror state in the heart of Israel would destroy the Jewish State.
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