At the end of his very informative book, Ethics of Our Fighters, Rabbi Dr. Shlomo M. Brody quotes General Omar Bradley’s November 1948 observation, “The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.” Brody comments that much has changed since 1948, “yet I fear that our moral compass remains insufficiently developed. Some people are simply not thinking enough about ethics in general and the impact of technology in particular.” He criticizes all nations for their inability to agree on any conventions or ethics. He encourages a dialogue between Israel and other countries about warfare. We need to learn why and when it is right to go to war and how to do the fighting. His book shows us why this is so.
He tells us that there are many books on the ethics of fighting wars, but the few that do so are far from adequate. He tells us why with many examples. He notes that Judaism has much to say about this topic and gives many examples but explains that while what was said is often good, it is inadequate. He provides examples from World War I, World War II, the many wars and conflicts against Israel, and others. He points out the mistakes, often well-meaning, but still mistakes, often with many losses of life.
One of the many topics discussed is civilian casualties. Is this hillul Hashem, a desecration of God, murder? How do we handle the problem that military technology, no matter how sophisticated, will not prevent collateral damage?
Others include whether self-defense begins by attacking an enemy before he attacks us and, if so, when. Another is how we evaluate the different goals of war, such as destroying the enemy, world opinion, and saving hostages. Others are how we should understand the Bible’s command to destroy Amalek, should Israel hold itself to a higher morality,” and how self-restraint should be implemented.
We learn many interesting facts. For example, during World War II, nearly thirty thousand Jews in pre-Israel Palestine served in the British army. In total, over 1.5 million Jews served in Allied armies across the globe: 550,000 in the US, 500,000 in the Red Army, 100,000 in the Polish Army, and 60,000 in the British.
In short, Dr. Brody’s book should be required reading in all military academies and by politicians in every nation. It will save lives and help make the world behave ethically.
Dear Israel,
Should the whole world allow jews to exist in a sohpsihicated manner?
Should Jews not form their own state but rather join the armies and other nations?
Also, in a perfect world where there is no antisemitism should British Jews kill American Jews kill Russian Jews.
Since, in a war rarely is anyone innocent or not guilty?
What i argue is this that Jews should be held to a higher standard and should be in the frontlines of wars.
Because we carry the responsibility of upholding the Torah and its laws
We must carry the burden of murder, death, rape, torture.
not sure if i am correct please correct me if i am wrong or incorrrect in my analysis.
Allpeople areequal to one another and should be treated as you want to be treated yourself.
The IDF always goes out of its way to avoid civilian casualties. When it bombs Gaza it warns civilians in advance that an area will be bombed, in order to minimize civilian casualties. However, I think the reason we are seeing such inflated numbers of civilian casualties is because Hamas uses civilians as human shields, a war crime.
It saddens me to see so many Paleisntian babies killed. Many Palestinian babies have died. The blood is on Hamas. Hamas wants this because then Israel will look like the bad guys. Israel has the right to defend itself but should Israel not strike until they are sure no civilians will ever be harmed? Is this unrealistic? Is killing innocent civilians in wartime ever justified? I think not. But Israel is not targeting civilians. Meanwhile, Hamas targets Israeli civilians indiscriminately and has little regard for their own. Will a ground invasion solve the problem?
As a Brigadier General, what do you think should be done in the current Israeli-Arab conflict?
We have to keep in mind that we do not have all the facts.Israel and the US must keep the most important facts secret for several reasons. Additionally, we must keep in mind that the reporters’ reports are based on partial facts as well as distortions and misunderstandings. When I worked in the Pentagon, I was considered very smart and I dealt with the people at the highest levels. I negotiated with the four-star chiefs of staff of the Army. I wrote parts of the speeches of President Regaon. I read in newspapers the next day about what I saw and knew and in 100 percent of the cases there were errors. From that time on, I stopped believing what the Press writes. I seldom read newspapers. So in answer to your question, since I lack the facts, I cannot respond if all that the IDF is doing is proper. I think it is and hope it is.
I agree with you. I think what Israel is doing is correct. Although civilians are hurt, the difference is that when Israel harms civilians it is unintentional. When Hamas kills civilians they do it with intention. Plus, Hamas uses people as human shields. Thank you for sharing your experience when working for the Pentagon.
As a side question. Do you believe the terrorists hit the Pentagon with a plane on 9/11 or did the US government hit the plane with a missile and shot at the Pentagon with another missile, as many conspiracy theorists believe? I am going to bet that you hold the former view. Did you work at the Pentagon at that time?
I do not believe the conspiracy theory. I was not at the Pentagon when it was attacked. I had retired before the attack. The attack hit the area where I had an office.
I’m glad you retired before the attack since it hit the area where you had an office. Although they probably would have evacuated people. What are your thoughts on Putin and the war in Ukraine?
Did you watch the Tucker Carlson interview with Putin? Was it right for him to do the interview or would it have been like someone interviewing Hitler? I think future generations would like to see what a leader of a country at war would have said.
As I wrote in the past, I disbelieve most of what I read and hear from the press because they base their information on politicians who hide all the facts and more so because they do not understand the facts. I saw and heard this while working at a high level in the Pentagon. In fact, there was never a press report that I saw or heard that was entirely correct. In regard to Putin being interviewed, the only problem I see is that there will be people who believe the untruths he utters. But there is no way to remedy this. So I would support such an interview.
If people knew the true about the matters of war would they kill their own politicans?
Why does the press mislead people and decieve them Israel?
Isn’t this against Jewish law to make people worship idols; False truths?
I do not think the press is evil. Many are not sufficiently educated. Others have prejudices. I think many politicians on the other hand do not serve the public.They seek self advancement and money.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/384675 You may know that interview already, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin.
‘Ethics of our Fighters’ author: ‘We have to do everything to protect our soldiers’
Rabbi Shlomo Brody, who wrote about the morals and ethics that guide the IDF in their military operations, claims in an interview with Arutz Sheva, that we must not sacrifice our own soldiers to protect enemy civilians.
Best: stephen
I saw the interview and read the book. Youare correct, but I think his view is more nuanced. I think he is saying,as things are in this world, there seems to be no way to avoid civilian casualties. They will always happen. But we need to try and minimize how many are killed. He recognizes that this is difficult.
Dear Rabbi Israel Drazin ! Full agreement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ3x__U83dM. Best; stephen
Yes, this is an important book. I knew an intelligent Protestant Army Chief of Chaplains who resigned from the Army while he was the Chief of Chaplains, because he felt the US Army was not being ethical. Thinking back with the considerations this author put in his book about ethics of fighters, I can better understand what bothered this good two star general.