Scriptural proof that Israel has a right to defend itself

A True Torah Perspective: Torah, Israel, Its Enemies and the Truth?

This is a deep and highly charged topic, one that requires careful navigation through Torah sources, halachic principles, and historical reality. This topic touches on profound Torah truths regarding the Jewish people’s right to the Land of Israel, the necessity of self-defense, and the role of war in Jewish history.

Torah, War, and Jewish Survival: The Righteous Imperative of Self-Defense

The modern world often misunderstands Jewish ethics concerning war, national sovereignty, and the necessity of military action against those who seek to annihilate Israel. Rabbi Meir Kahane z”l, who was widely misunderstood and mischaracterized, was a Torah scholar who spoke unflinchingly about these matters. His positions were deeply rooted in Torah and Jewish history.

To understand this issue, one must start with the fundamental principle that the Torah is a Zionist document - the Land of Israel belongs eternally to the Jewish people, as ordained by HaShem.

The Land of Israel: An Everlasting Inheritance

The Torah is unequivocal:

“I will give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you sojourn, the entire land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their G-d.” (Genesis 17:8)

This divine promise was reaffirmed countless times, through Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and through Moshe Rabbeinu as he led the nation toward its destiny. The conquest of the land under Yehoshua was not an act of aggression but the fulfillment of HaShem’s command.

The Torah’s Approach to War and Enemies

Many people, even those within the Jewish world, have a distorted view of warfare in Torah. The Torah is not pacifist - it recognizes that peace is the ideal, but peace with evil is itself an act of evil.

The Obligation to Destroy Amalek and Other Enemies

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way when you were leaving Egypt… You shall erase the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Do not forget!” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)

The Torah demands that Israel not only defend itself but preemptively eliminate existential threats. Amalek represents not merely an ancient nation but an eternal concept - those who seek to annihilate Israel. Today, Amalek manifests in Muslim terror groups, regimes that chant for Israel’s destruction, and those who celebrate Jewish bloodshed.

“If someone rises to kill you, kill him first.” (Sanhedrin 72a)

This is not just a halachic principle - it is a moral obligation. Allowing murderers to succeed is a desecration of life itself. The Torah demands that Israel fight for survival and not be naive.

Moshe, Yehoshua, and the Wars of Israel

People forget that Moshe Rabbeinu was a warrior. He led Israel in battle against Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16) and later commanded the obliteration of Midian (Numbers 31). Yehoshua led the conquest of Eretz Yisrael, ensuring that Israel could establish sovereignty over the land. Hence he conquered Israel’s enemies, winning many wars.

Were these acts of violence? No. They were acts of righteousness - protecting Israel from those whose very existence was dedicated to their destruction.

“A time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

Righteous war is not violence for the sake of conquest, but war for the sake of peace.

King David: The Warrior of Hashem

One of the greatest Jewish leaders was David HaMelech (David the King), a man after G-d’s own heart. He was both a poet and a warrior. The Book of Tehillim (Psalms), so filled with spirituality and longing for G-d, was written by a man who spent much of his life on the battlefield.

“Blessed be HaShem, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1)

David fought wars not for personal gain but for the security of Israel. He understood that there are times when force must be used. When Israel’s enemies arose, he crushed them with divine justice.

“You pursued my enemies and overtook them; you did not turn back until they were destroyed.” (Psalm 18:38)

The modern world condemns such strength, yet the Torah praises it. A Jew who is unwilling to fight for his people’s survival is a Jew who has abandoned his mission.

The Judges, The Maccabees, and Jewish Resistance

Throughout history, righteous Jews have taken up arms to defend their people.

• Shimshon (Samson) fought against the Philistines with divine strength.

• Gideon led 300 warriors against an overwhelming enemy and emerged victorious.

• The Maccabees rose against the Greek empire, restoring Jewish sovereignty.

Each of these leaders could have chosen to erroneously “love their enemies” - instead, they chose to obey G-d’s command and vanquish evil.

Rabbi Meir Kahane: A Man of Torah, A Man of Truth

Rabbi Meir Kahane, like the warriors of old, spoke with absolute clarity. He understood that the world respects strength and that Jewish survival depends on Jewish self-determination. He was a realist who refused to bow to fantasy.

He based his philosophy on the words of Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:1):

“When you go out to war against your enemies, do not have mercy on them.”

Not because Jews desire war, but because history has proven that mercy on the wicked leads to more Jewish suffering.

Those who oppose Kahane do so because they have been conditioned to believe that self-defense is immoral. Yet the Torah tells us the opposite.

The Moral Clarity of Jewish Strength

Judaism values life, peace, and morality- but true peace cannot exist without strength. Those who advocate for blind mercy in the face of existential threats are not being moral; they are being irresponsible.

The Rambam writes:

“War is a necessary reality in this world. It is better to fight for the righteous than to allow the wicked to prevail.”

Rabbi Kahane understood this. The Maccabees understood this. King David understood this.

The Torah Mandates Jewish Survival

• The Torah gives the Land of Israel only to the Jewish people.

• The Torah commands us to destroy Amalek and other existential threats.

• Jewish leaders throughout history- Moshe, Yehoshua, David, the Maccabees- all understood that there is a time when force is required.

• Rabbi Meir Kahane simply reiterated Torah truths, refusing to sugarcoat them.

Those who slander Rabbi Kahane should use context for their points, what exactly are they talking about?

Most are uncomfortable with Jewish strength. But the Torah teaches that survival is not optional.

May we merit leaders with the courage and vision to stand for Torah and for Israel, as our ancestors did before us.

This is the Torah’s perspective - unapologetic, unwavering, and eternally true.

- Author unknown