The Jewish religion appreciates two situations where permissibility of war is taught, the first of which being obligatory war. Obligatory war refers to commandments to take actions such as those experienced in the biblical era or a defensive war, which is to be undertaken if the nation is under threat. The second permissible war as stated by the prophetic vision is discretionary war, which refers to a fight to enlarge the borders of the nation of Israel in order to ensure its survival, however this war is only permitted following an intense session of debate. Despite permitting obligatory and discretionary war, Deuteronomy demonstrates an adamancy that all avenues of peace must be first explored and exhausted before war is declared, “If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city”. Also, although war may be applicable in extreme circumstances the prophetic vision also declares that civilians and non-combatants must be given the opportunity to escape the fighting as demonstrated in Joshua’s letters to the land of Israel in Kingship 6:5. Therefore demonstrating that although peace is a primal concept the prophetic vision there remain extreme instances where war stands as a tolerable
The Jewish religion appreciates two situations where permissibility of war is taught, the first of which being obligatory war. Obligatory war refers to commandments to take actions such as those experienced in the biblical era or a defensive war, which is to be undertaken if the nation is under threat. The second permissible war as stated by the prophetic vision is discretionary war, which refers to a fight to enlarge the borders of the nation of Israel in order to ensure its survival, however this war is only permitted following an intense session of debate. Despite permitting obligatory and discretionary war, Deuteronomy demonstrates an adamancy that all avenues of peace must be first explored and exhausted before war is declared, “If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city”. Also, although war may be applicable in extreme circumstances the prophetic vision also declares that civilians and non-combatants must be given the opportunity to escape the fighting as demonstrated in Joshua’s letters to the land of Israel in Kingship 6:5. Therefore demonstrating that although peace is a primal concept the prophetic vision there remain extreme instances where war stands as a tolerable