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Conflict & EmergencyText
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A leader who doesn't hesitate before sending their nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.
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Shifra and Puah were originally Egyptians who embraced Judaism. Otherwise how could Pharoah have ordered them to kill Jews? How could they in the first place have agreed? Surely every Jew is obliged to sacrifice his life rather than commit idolatry, incest or murder! That is why the text observes: "The midwives feared God"- implying that previously when they were still heathens they had not feared Him. Had they not been Egyptians what would have been the point of telling us that they feared God. Surely as Jewesses that was taken for granted.
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Fundamental human rights in Israel are founded upon recognition of the value of the human being, the sanctity of human life…The purpose of this Basic Law is to protect human dignity and liberty, in order to establish in a Basic Law the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state…There shall be no violation of the life, body, or dignity of any person as such…All persons are entitled to protections שקובעת כותרתו של החוק, כל הזכויות הללו נגזרות מכבוד האדם וחירותו, כפי שהם מתפרשים לאור היותה של מדינת ישראל מדינה יהודית ודמוקרטית. זכויות אלה מפורטות בסעיפים אחדים...אין פוגעים בחייו, בגופו, או בכבודו של אדם באשר הוא אדם...אין פוגעים בקנינו של אדם. ..כל אדם זכאי להגנה על חייו, על גופו ועל כבודו...
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If the community of Israel had not forgotten these stragglers, but rather, had brought them close under the wings of God's presence in order to return them underneath the clouds of glory so that they would be together with the whole house of Israel, then Amalek would not have overcome them. But because these stragglers were left behind, Amalek was successful. This is a sign for generations: When the entire community is supported and together, then Amalek cannot gain control. [AJWS translation] עמלק לא היה יכול לנצח אלא את זה שהיה בפני עצמו, פרוש מן הכלל, שהענן היה פולטו, והוא נפל ביד עמלק. אבל הללו שהיו ביחד, מחוברים לכלל ישראל, היה הענן מגן עליהם ולא נפלו ביד עמלק. סימן הוא לדורות: כל זמן שישראל באחדות אין עמלק שולט בהם.
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The reasonableness of a regulation…is determined by the good standards accepted by the majority of people in a democratic society and state of law, and there is none better and more accepted than basic respect for humans. A free and civilized society is distinguished from a barbaric and oppressive society by the degree to which it treats a human being as a human being. Lofty classic expression was given to this by the Mishnah: "…whosoever preserves a single soul – Scripture ascribes to him as though he had preserved an entire world…" (M. Sanhedrin 4:5)…
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How is the individual who is committed to a personal code of morality expected to suspend all of those values in the context of war? When is the personal code, or one’s halakhic code in the Jewish situation, to be suspended and when is it not to be suspended? When does the obligation to kill, steal or destroy things as a part of warfare, override all of the everyday laws that absolutely prohibit these activities?
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In relation to the obligation to pay the costs of saving the life of a sick person who is in danger of dying: From the straightforward reading of Sanhedrin 73a , we see that one is obligated to do everything to save him, and if not, one transgresses the negative commandment: “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” (According to my humble opinion, it’s clear that the sick person is obligated afterwards to repay the expenses.) And if we say that the commandment is directed at action, and therefore one is not under an obligation to spend all his money, nevertheless 10 or 20% of his בענין החיוב לממן את ההוצאות להצלת חייו של חולה מסוכן מפשטות הגמרא בסנהדרין ע"ג ע"א רואים דחייב לעשות הכל להצלתו ואם לאו הוא עובר בלאו של לא תעמוד על דם רעך (לענ"ד פשוט שהחולה עצמו שפיר חייב אח"כ לפרוע לו), ואם נאמר דעל לאו שחיובו מעשה ליכא חיוב לבזבז כל ממונו, מ"מ מעשר או חומש מיהא חייב, ובפרט דמסתבר יותר שלאו זה הרבה יותר חמור ושפיר חייב לבזבז כל ממונו. אך לצערנו נתקלים בזה תמיד ולא עושים כך, ושמעתי שהגאון ר' ישראל מסאלאנט זצ"ל הסתפק הרבה בענין זה.
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Mi sheberach Avoteinu veimateinu. May the Holy One Ancient of Days Who Blessed our ancestors turn and Bless victims, survivors, mourners, supporters, workers, and friends at this time of distress and in the face of this great devastating flood. May the Holy One whose powers can melt mountains like wax also shine healing and strength to those crying out in need and dislocation.
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Next week, on January 12, 2011, the people of Haiti will mourn the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that claimed as many as 300,000 lives. As the country continues to endure unimaginable loss, and confronts escalating challenges of poverty, disease and violence, let us extend a prayer for the return of comfort, safety and peace.
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This means, according to the words of our Sages…there in Yevamot [78b-79a], that Saul did not actually kill even a single Gibeonite. 
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