|
|
January 21, 2005/Shevat 11 5765, Vol. 57, No. 21
War and peace
Torah study
RABBI BONNIE KOPPELL
Parsha Beshalach, Exodus 13:17-17:16
Jewish tradition assumes war as a necessary evil. Though the psalmist urges us to "seek peace and pursue it," we also acknowledge Kohelet's teaching that "there is a time for war and a time for peace."
The Torah established the office of the High Priest as a hereditary position; we always need religious leadership and continuity. But we appoint a new priest to accompany the people each time we go to war - a chaplain, if you will, for each new encounter. We always hope and pray that a battlefield successor will not be needed. We must devote ourselves to working for peace even as we remain prepared for war, at least until the messianic age brings about a time of universal well-being.
The parsha of Beshalach offers several scenarios depicting battles, as well as guidance regarding how we should relate to our enemies. God is described as a warrior doing battle on our behalf. God expresses concern that the former slaves have not grasped the meaning of freedom and will want to head back to Egypt if they face war.
War may be necessary, but we must be vigilant that we do not lose our own humanity in the process. We hear the Jewish people singing praises to God as they pass safely through the sea - "horse and rider God has hurled into the sea." Having been saved from the threat of returning to slavery, we can certainly appreciate their overwhelming sense of joy.
Yet, as we commemorate the events that lead to our liberation, the tradition is at pains to remind us that we must be cognizant of the humanity of our enemies. After the first two days of Pesach, we recite only half of the Hallel service, the service of praise. Our joy is tempered in recognition of our enemy's suffering, which was necessary to gain our release. We spill a drop of wine from our cups at the seder table as we recall the 10 plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. When the angels add their voices to the chorus, the midrash depicts God as rebuking them. We cannot and should not rejoice over the suffering of our enemies; this is the message which is reinforced many times in Jewish teachings.
Turning to this week's haftorah, the theme continues. The warrior, Barak, approaches the prophet Devora, pleading with her to accompany him into battle to throw off the yoke of the oppressor under the leadership of Sisera. In fact, the hero refuses to go unless she agrees. As the battle scene unfolds, it is actually another woman, Yael, who delivers the final blow to the enemy.
Once again the victory leads to song, as we read the words of Devora in Judges, Chapter 5. The prophet describes the precarious nature of life before the war, contrasting it with the freedom that follows. But even this victory is tempered by suffering. As the poem concludes, we see Sisera's mother anxiously awaiting his return from the battle. "She peeks out from the window, the mother of Sisera wails from behind the lattice; why is his chariot so long in coming, why so late the clatter of his wheels?" The pain and concern behind these words touches our hearts; we can't help but be moved by compassion at the universal image of parents awaiting their children's return from the battlefield.
As we read the parsha of Beshalach this week, we are reminded that there are moments when war is tragically necessary. We are reminded not to lose our humanity when we are forced to meet death and destruction in the conduct of war. We must be keenly aware of the painful price paid on all sides when we are compelled to resort to violence in order to achieve justice.
Bonnie Koppell is the rabbi for Temple Beth Sholom in Chandler. (Col.) Kenneth Leinwand, a chaplain in the U.S. Army, contributed to this piece.
|
|
