Can Medieval Wisdom Guide Israel through a Contemporary Challenge?

Israel’s debate over military service is often presented as a choice between two absolutes: the democratic principle of an equal civic burden and the religious imperative of preserving the world of Torah scholarship. As positions become increasingly entrenched, perhaps we are asking the wrong question. Rather than choosing sides, it may be worth consulting one of Judaism’s greatest thinkers—Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known to Jewish tradition as HaRambam and to the wider world as Maimonides.

Although HaRambam lived in the medieval world, his thought remains strikingly relevant. He was not an isolated scholar removed from public life. He earned his livelihood as a physician, led his community, and composed one of Judaism’s greatest legal and philosophical works. His life reflected an integration of learning, professional responsibility, and public service. That integrated vision offers a valuable perspective on one of modern Israel’s most difficult challenges.

The legal starting point is HaRambam’s distinction in the Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings and Wars 5:1–2 between Milchemet Reshut, an optional war, and Milchemet Mitzvah, a mandatory war. Optional wars permit exemptions. A war fought in defence of Israel does not. HaRambam famously rules in Laws of Kings and Wars 7:4 that “all must go out to fight—even a bridegroom from his........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)