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Judaism: Religion, Peace and Conflict

Jewish teachings on violence and its justification

  • 3 things to know
  • Component Group 2

Overview

Exodus 15:3 and 17:16, the command to fight Amalek today, Proverbs 25:21 on enemies, when violence is justified, the rodef, teaching on anger, Jews in past conflicts, and situation ethics.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How do Exodus 15:3 and 17:16 present G-d and war?

Key term

How do Jews today read the command against Amalek and the teaching on enemies?

Key term

What forms of violence does Jewish teaching condemn?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What forms of violence does Jewish teaching condemn?

    Model answer

    Judaism condemns physical violence and also harmful speech, called lashon hara. The Talmud compares publicly shaming someone to shedding their blood.

  2. 2

    What does Exodus 15:3 say about G-d?

    Model answer

    The Song of the Sea calls G-d “a man of war” after the Egyptian army drowns. Jews read it as G-d fighting to rescue the oppressed, not as praise of war.

  3. 3

    What does Exodus 17:16 teach?

    Model answer

    G-d will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation. Amalek became a symbol of evil that attacks the weak without cause.

  4. 4

    How do most Jews today understand the command to fight Amalek?

    Model answer

    Most rabbis teach that the nation of Amalek can no longer be identified. The command is read as a duty to fight evil itself.

  5. 5

    What does Proverbs 25:21 teach about enemies?

    Model answer

    If an enemy is hungry, give him bread, and if thirsty, give him water. Kindness to an enemy can turn hatred into peace.

  6. 6

    When is violence justified in Jewish teaching?

    Model answer

    Violence may be used in self-defence or to protect the innocent. The Talmud teaches that if someone comes to kill you, you should rise and kill him first.

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