Peace and conflict : Just War Theory - Judaism

• • Conflict = disagreement between two or more people. When conflict happens on a national or international scale, it's war.
• • Jewish Bible provides many examples of ancient Israelites engaging in armed conflict.
• • Sometimes, it's clear God supports battle.
• • Three kinds of war that are justified.  
• • Obligatory wars – God has commanded. (Two are recorded in the Jewish Bible.)
• • Defensive wars – Fought in self-defence or to prevent being attacked.  
• • Optional wars – These are Just Wars that fulfil certain conditions: 
  • last resort
  • limit killing to combatants and avoid civilians
  • 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 be unavoidable in some circumstances, but ideally strive for peace: ‘In God’s eyes, the man stands high who makes peace between men…But he stands highest who establishes peace among the nations.’ (The Talmud) 
• • There are a significant number of Jews who believe that the teachings of Judaism inspire non-violence.(Pacifism and conscientious objectors)