Just War Theory (Jewish)

• Jewish teachings suggest war to achieve justice or end oppression = acceptable - “The sword comes into the world because of justice delayed and justice denied”
• Just War = morally accepted, fought for justifi3d reasons, like protection and self-defence, prevention of greater evil, restoring law and order, efforts to avoid war have been made.
• Judaism identifies three kinds of war that are justified:

  • obligatory wars
  • defensive wars
  • optional wars
• OBLIGATORY WARS - MILCHEMET MITSVAH:

  Wars commanded by God (similar to holy war), fought by order and honour of God - 2 recorded n Jewish Bible, e.g. Joshua and Israelites fought to return to Promised Land.
• OBLIGATORY WARS - MILCHEMET MITSVAH:

  • Wars commanded by God (similar to holy war), fought by order and honour of God
  • 2 recorded in Jewish Bible, e.g. Joshua and Israelites fought to return to Promised Land.
• DEFENSIVE WAR:

  • Fought in self defence or to prevent being attacked
• OPTIONAL WAR - MILCHEMET RESHUT:

  • Just war fulfilling conditions.
  • Last resort, peaceful means of settling dispute have been tried.
  • Attempts made to limit harming or killing civilians and buildings.
  • Enemy should be treated humanely (‘If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” Proverbs 25:21).
• Judaism accepts war may = unavoidable in some circumstances, but ideal to always strive for peace.
• Talmud states, morally good to kill to save life.
• PIKUACH NEFESH - preservation of life, saving life = more important than any mitzvot
• Judaism shows concerns for non-human considerations - no destroying fruit trees or other things needed for life, if so would prevent community from re-establishing after war.
• Judaism accepts war may be unavoidable in some spcircumstances but ideally strive for peace.