LEV692 The maxim "Love thy neighbor as thyself" [this verse] is a moral goal which can be applied on a universal scale only when international peace prevails. The biblical exemptions from military service (Deuteronomy 28:5-8) are so comprehensive that full compliance with these regulations would render the raising of a large army a practical impossibility. The purpose of these exemptions was to limit the army to a small number of men whose confidence in combat would depend upon the benevolence of God rather than their physical might. Such men would be more likely to avoid cruelties which are offensive to God.  Furthermore, small armies do not readily rush into aggressive wars. (Continued at [[DEUT849]] Deuteronomy 16:20 justice BLOCH 68)