SNS News Service "Torah Ruling"
July 12, 1995..14 Tamuz 5755..Number 538..Update from Israel
The following is a translation of a Halachic Ruling (Ruling in Jewish
Law) that was announced today by the "Ichud HaRabbanim" on
behalf of the Land of Israel. The group is headed by former Chief
Rabbi, Avraham Shapira.
The answer given to those that have asked what is to be done
vis-à-vis the pullout of IDF camps from Judea and Samaria:
In a Halachic question posed to the group of Rabbis vis-à-vis the
eviction of Jews from Judea, Samaria, Gaza and the Golan Heights,
the Rabbis were asked if IDF soldiers are permitted to participate in
the shutdown of IDF bases that are situated in parts of the Land of
Israel that are populated by Arabs.
- We rule that there is a prohibition [based on the Holy
scriptures] forbidding the evacuation of IDF bases and the handing
over of the areas to non-Jews. This is in violation of the positive
commandment of settling the Land as well as of the
negative command of not placing Jews into jeopardy. This is a case of
placing Jews in danger and the very existence of the State of Israel in
danger.
- It is obvious that the areas involved (those areas in which the IDF
bases are presently located) fall under the positive commandment of
the Rambam (Maimonides) to settle the Land. There is an additional
issue of placing the Jewish residents in danger and the verse [in the
Bible] that states, Thou shall not stand idly by your brothers blood.
- A permanent IDF base is actually a Jewish settlement. Its
shutdown and dismantling is the giving over of a Jewish settlement
in the Land of Israel to non-Jews.
- Therefore, in response to the question, it is forbidden for any Jew
to participate in any way in the shutdown of any Jewish settlement
[community], base or outpost, as is written (Rambam).
- Never before has the IDF placed its soldiers in a position where
they are forced to act contrary to their Jewish consciousness, moral or
nationalistic. WE ARE THEREFORE CALLING UPON THE
GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL TO NOT PLACE IDF SOLDIERS IN
A POSITION IN WHICH THEY MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR ORDERS AND
THE VALUES UPON WHICH THEY HAVE BUILT THEIR
LIVES.
- We call upon the government of Israel to stand at the helm. Do not
be the impetus that will divide the nation and the IDF, but to
strengthen all the powers that be in these most difficult times.
(SNS/Shomron..7/12).
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