ISRAEL - Ultra-Orthodox to Resist Draft

Arno's Commentary

Military duty is a hot-button issue for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Some of them point to the first prime minister, Ben Gurion, who exempted several hundred from military duty. We also know that, during the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War, there were many ultra-Orthodox men voluntarily fighting within the IDF.

Some of their arguments are based on Isaiah 42, among many other places, where it says: “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles” (verse 6). This fulfillment requires God’s people to keep the Sabbath and to study His Word. Then verse 13 will be fulfilled: “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.” Subsequently, praying and studying the Torah is absolutely decisive; the rabbis say, “There is no force in the world that will, God forbid, succeed in detaching the students of the Torah from their studies.”

As in the past, there will be exemptions on both sides: those who report for duty and those who refuse. 

This leads us to the gentile world; in particular, Christians. We read in Luke 3:14: “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” John the Baptist gives clear instruction, “do violence to no man,” followed by the instruction, “neither accuse any falsely,” and adds, “be content with your wages.” 

This applies to those who have been drafted into the military by the government. Most states grant exemptions for “conscientious objectors,” and an option is given for alternative public service.

Regarding weapons, it is of interest that Jesus said, “and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one” (Luke 22:36b). What follows is significant. The disciples said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords” (verse 38b). Jesus answered: “It is enough.” There are various interpretations of this event, which led the disciples to know that they were now on their own; there was no defense for them anymore. What followed was Judas’ betrayal, during which Peter still believed in physical defense, “drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear” (Matthew 26:51b). 

A short answer regarding weapons is recorded in verse 52: “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” We note, He did not say to get rid of the swords; the sword is present, but it becomes useless: “Put up again thy sword into his place.”

In Israel, the conflict between religion and military duty has not ended, but it will one day; not only for Israel, but also for the entire world. The prophet Micah proclaims: “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:3).