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Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), Source Book Keys, AMEMEI

DEUTERONOMY | 20:8 disheartened — DEUT981 .. it seems the Torah itself anticipates ...

DEUT981 .. it seems the Torah itself anticipates civil disobedience on a certain level and attempts to avoid it. When forming an army, the Torah allows certain categories of soldiers not to join [this verse]. One of the categories of soldier who is asked to return home and not fight is the soldier who is "weak of heart." The Mishnah (Mishnah Sotah 8:5-6) according to one opinion, explains this to be a person who does not feel he can fight, who is unable to stand the heat of battle, and who cannot stand to see a drawn sword. Some commentaries have interpreted this to mean not people who are weak, but those who cannot fight because they are opposed to fighting a battle, what we would call today conscientious objectives. The Torah, anticipating this group of people, gave them the option not to fight and be sent home without penalty, according to these commentaries. Therefore, the Torah does recognize the right (in potential) to object to military force.

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Source KeyAMEMEI
Verse20:8
Keyword(s)disheartened
Source Page(s)43

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DEUTERONOMY | 20:8 afraid — DEUT980 We must do everything possible to protect... Previous Article DEUTERONOMY | 20:8 disheartened — DEUT982 The Mishnah of Sotah 8.5 states "' And th... Next Article

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