Question: Moses allows the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh to settle on the east bank of the Jordan only if they agree to defend Israel when needed. Do diaspora Jews have a religious duty to join the IDF?
An Orthodox view
It was an incredible transformation from before to after October 7. Israel went from being a country racked by internal division to once again become a nation united in singular purpose and resolve.
Before October 7, Israel was in danger of forgetting that one of her most beautiful features is her diversity. Religious, secular, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Chassidic, Litvak, native or immigrant, it is a vibrant socio-economic, political and cultural melting pot. On the verge of tearing herself apart, some said even heading towards civil war, the barbarity of the terrorist attack jolted her citizens into a realisation of a historical truth that the Jewish people’s chief weakness is when we are divided, and our greatest strength is when we are united.
It is no coincidence that the rallying cry for this war has been “Yachad nenatzeach — together we will win!” The irony has always been that while we pigeonhole fellow Jews based on the type of kippah they do or do not wear to the kind of food they eat or the political view they espouse, our enemies have never seen a distinction.
The Babylonians, Romans, Spanish inquisitors, Nazis and Hamas only ever saw us as Jews; their hatred for us was not directed at a particular segment, they have always been equal opportunity persecutors and oppressors, indiscriminate in their discrimination against us.
We should be clear that unity does not mean, nor does it demand uniformity as that itself would be a disaster that would whitewash our unique character and individualised identity.
All it requires is a modicum of respect and an attempt at understanding not those with whom we agree and are aligned, but specifically with those with whom we disagree, those with views and lifestyle that differ significantly from our own.
While some may believe that there is a religious obligation for every Jew to join the IDF and to be willing to fight if necessary for the state of Israel and her citizens, it is clear that nearly everyone thinks they have a right to comment, criticise and pass comment on the actions of her government and political leadership.
Others may feel that while it is meritorious and essential for the safety and security of all Jews, military service is not something they are able to participate in personally.
As the scenario faced by Moses relates specifically to a battle of conquest and inheritance, we cannot derive any obligation on future generations to join the IDF. However, from his rebuke of those two and a half tribes’ seemingly selfish request and its potential impact on the nation as a whole, we can infer that we must never underestimate the value and power of unity.
Alex Chapper is Senior Rabbi of Borehamwood and Elstree (United) Synagogue
A Progressive view
This is an interesting deduction, but even for a religion of tradition like Judaism, the past is not always a precedent.
In the case of the two and a half tribes, the agreement was not to help defend the other tribes when they were under attack, but to assist them to conquer the Promised Land, which they duly did in the time of Joshua (“Ahead of the Israelites, the Reubenites, the Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh had crossed, armed, Moses had instructed them, 4.12). That was a one-off.
We also have to bear in mind the divine warnings to the Israelites that they should not take the land of Israel for granted, but had to deserve it (and us too) and live up to the standards God required, lest “the land not vomit you out” (Leviticus18.28, 20.22).
This indicates that, remarkably, in the biblical mindset, the right to the land of Israel is not automatic, and so any defence of Israel has to be considered according to the moral and religious circumstances at the time.
Obviously you are asking about the current situation, following Hamas’s vicious attack on October 7 and the daily barrage of rockets from then on by Hezbollah. How should we respond?
Some have indeed signed up and their courage is to be admired.
There are other Jews who feel uneasy with, or opposed to, the Israeli response — not the right to do so, but the way it is happening. They may see protesting as rescuing the soul of Israel. Still, that does not stop one wanting to help individuals who have suffered or kibbutzim that have been devastated. We can disagree with the government of Israel, but still support the people of Israel.
Another issue is British law as to whether you can join the army of a foreign country. You can do so with Israel, though if you do not speak Ivrit well, then understanding battlefield orders whilst under fire or hearing instructions via crackling walkie-talkies could make you more of a liability than an asset.
What might be more useful is volunteering for a non-combative role, such as helping in a factory or kindergarten; it would also be sensible to use existing skills you have, ranging from dentistry to farming.
However, one can equally help Israel from afar, be it fundraising, donating blood, speaking up for her cause or investing in Israeli businesses.
So the IDF is an option, but not an obligation, and there are many other ways to be supportive.
Rabbi Dr Romain is convenor of the Reform Beit Din
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