Home
Front Command
Q:
Ha-Rav always says that one should listen to the Home Front Command. What is the halachic obligation to do so?
A:
1. "Guard your souls". 2. The
obligation to listen to the State and Army.
3. Intellect.
Routine
during a Time of War
Q:
During a time of war, should we continue on with our normal routine while our
soldiers are waging war?
A:
Yes. We have been in this state in
different forms for more than 60 years.
The goal of terror is to break life and routine.
Husband
Called Up for Reserve Duty
Q:
My husband was called up for reserve duty for Operation Protective Edge. What should we do in our family?
A:
Keep your routine, repent, Daven and give Tzedakah.
Operation
Protective Edge and Soldiers who have Fallen
Q:
Despite my strong faith in Hashem it is very difficult for me to digest the great
number of soldiers who have been killed.
A:
When Rabbenu Ha-Rav Tzvi Yehudah was asked this question during the Yom Kippur
War, when perhaps a hundred-fold more soldiers fell, he responded: Where is
your contract?! Where is the contract
which Hashem signed for you that we would not be killed in war?!
Sin
Caused the Need for Operation Protective Edge
Q:
What sin caused the war of Operation Protective Edge?
A:
You don't know?! It was on account of
the horrible sin of destroying Gush Katif, a sin against Hashem, a sin against
the Nation and a sin against the people who lived there - and all because of
false dreams of peace. After all, when
we lived there, there were no missiles or tunnels. We lived in peace and contentment in Gush
Katif.
Q:
So should we not forgive the people who destroyed Gush Katif now that we see
the results?
A:
One is not obligated to forgive them, but it is better to fill oneself with joy
than resentment.
Wounded
Arabs during Operation Protective Edge
Q:
Do our hospitals need to take in Arabs from Gaza who were wounded on account of
Hamas?
A:
Yes. Based on 1. morality. 2. national benefit, i.e. we care for other people
and in return other people care for Jews.
Operation
Protective Edge and Music during the 3 Weeks
Q:
Is it permissible to listen to music now since it is a time of war?
A: No.
There is no connection. But we must be more particular regarding
Halachah during this time.
Music
for a Soldier during the 3 Weeks
Q:
I am stationed on the border with Gaza.
Is it permissible for me to listen to music during the 3 weeks in order
to relax and bring a little joy?
A:
Yes, if it is a military need.
Special
Prayer for Operation Protective Edge
Q:
Is there a special prayer to say during Operation Protective edge?
A:
Tehillim #35.
Q:
I meant something aside from Tehillim?
A: The Prayer for the State of Israel.
Honoring Parents and Operation Protective Edge
Q: I want to go down south and help but my parents
object. What should I do?
A: When you are independent, do as you wish, but as long as you
live in your parents' house, consider their feelings.
Operation Protective Edge and Youth Activities
Q: Should we cancel youth activities on account of the
war? After all, our soldiers are waging
war?
A: Do not cancel them.
Part of the struggle is not to break the routine of life. But recite Tehillim at the beginning of each
activity for the victory and peace of our soldiers.
Prayer for a Non-Jewish Soldier Fighting in Operation
Protective Edge
Q: Is it permissible to Daven for a Druze soldier who was
wounded in our war over our Land?
A: Of course, he spilled his blood for this purpose (see Shut
Yechaveh Daat 6:60).
Operation
Protective Edge and "Harm will not befall one on the way to perform a Mitzvah"
Q: "Harm will not befall one on
the way to perform a Mitzvah". How then are our soldiers killed?
A: It says in the Gemara Pesachim (8b), which mentions this
general principle, that this only applies in the case of an infrequent
danger. We do not apply this principle, however, when there is a frequent
occurrence such as war. In general, one
should be careful from partial quotes.