Study

The Ethics of Jewish War

Few traditional sources discuss the ethics of fighting noncombatants, but some Jewish laws of war do display a moral genesis.

Rabbinic Limitations on War

Deuteronomy 20 permits wars of aggression, but the talmudic rabbis made it difficult to declare one.

Defensive War

When lives are at stake, Judaism permits--and probably requires--fighting.

Two Types of Jewish War

Judaism distinguishes between commanded wars and permitted wars.

Combat and Conflict in Judaism

Combat and Conflict in Jewish Tradition. Jewish Views on War and Peace. Jewish Ideas and Beliefs.

Exemptions from Military Service in Judaism

An incomplete lifecycle process or an unsuitable attitude may exempt you from service.

Pacifism in Jewish Law

Jewish tradition never embraced complete pacifism, though minimizing violence has always been a priority.

Jewish Ideas of Peace and Nonviolence

In Judaism, peace is not merely the opposite of war, but denotes an ideal state of affairs.

Rosh Hashanah: Rabbinic Development

The first day of the year becomes the day of judgment.

Medieval Jewish Culture

In Muslim and Christian lands.

Thriving in the Diaspora

Persian Jewry can serve as a role model for Jews who live outside of the Land of Israel.

Where Was God?

The "hidden God" of the Purim story can serve as a model for God's role in the modern world.