Key points about Judaism, peace and conflict
Peace is an important theme in Judaism, but there are differing attitudes to war, peace and pacifism within different branches of Judaism.
The five books of Moses, known as the Hebrew Bible. contains teachings on justice, the sanctity of life and the importance of resolving conflict to ensure peace.
Forgiveness is important in Judaism. The Torah teaches that forgiveness is an element of A duty, or a mitzvah, where Jews actively try to make amends for the wrongs they have committed..
Justice is a key issue in Judaism and the concept appears frequently in the books of Genesis and Deuteronomy.
Remember
There are different denominations of Judaism, for example Orthodox, Conservative (Masorti), Reform and Liberal. These last two are sometimes called 'Progressive'.
Find out more about the largest branches of Judaism.
Key concepts in religion, peace and conflict
The key terms below will appear repeatedly through the theme of Judaism, peace and conflict.
For your exam on religion, peace and conflict, it is important to know the definitions of key terms. Take the quiz below to test your knowledge.
Religion, peace and conflict key terms quiz
War
Judaism teaches that peace is the ideal state and when the Messiah comes, he will bring an end to war so that everyone can live in peace.
He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
However, Judaism also teaches that war is sometimes necessary. The book of Ecclesiastes says, “There is a time for everything… A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.” (The Book of Kohelet 3:8).
A Jewish philosopher (1138-1204) whose interpretation of Judaism and writings fundamentally shaped Jewish practice. teaches that there are two types of war, a milchemet mitzvah and a milchemet reshut and all other types of fighting is forbidden. There is much debate about whether these two types of war can be applied to situations today.
Milchemet mitzvah
A milchemet mitzvah is a war commanded by God and it is therefore compulsory for Jewish people to fight to honour God. One of the conditions of this type of war is that the enemy must have attacked first, it is then considered a war of self-defence. Samuel 2, chapter 22, speaks of God’s provision when David, a Jewish king, had to go to war.
Many Jews use the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) as evidence that self-defence is acceptable when other ways of trying to resolve a conflict have failed. The Talmud, Sanhedrin 74, states that a person is permitted to kill "a pursuer" to save his own life.
An example of an obligatory war is when Joshua and the Israelites fought to return to the Promised Land.
Get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them - to the Israelites … Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:2-6
Milchemet reshut
A Milchemet reshut is an optional or discretionary war. Peace must be offered before going to war and efforts to avoid war must have been attempted.
Civilians must not be harmed and damage to buildings should be limited. It teaches that fruit trees or other things needed for life should not be destroyed. The belief is that destruction of these things would prevent a community from re-establishing itself after war.
The book of Deuteronomy lays out clear sets of instructions about different types of war, in most cases instructing Jews to only fight after resolution through dialogue has failed.
If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.”
Deuteronomy 20:12
The sanctity of life
The way that Jews should conduct themselves when engaging with war clearly demonstrates a respect for life and this can be seen throughout the Torah as early as Bereishit through the story of Cain and Abel.
What does the story of Cain and Abel teach about the The concept that life is holy, sacred and precious and belongs to God.?
When Cain murders his innocent brother Abel, God asks this rhetorical question emphasising the sanctity and value of human life. As a result, Cain is cursed by God teaching the severity of killing innocent people.
What have you done? Hark, your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!”
Genesis 4:10
However, Psalm 10:12-18 encourages Jews to consider how they should react to war as it speaks very clearly of God defending the weak and afflicted. It challenges Jews to protect those who are suffering.
When it comes to making ethical decisions in relation to peace and conflict, some Jews will apply the theory of situation ethics which teaches the principle of unconditional love towards others. The teachings in the Law and Prophets do include a version of the To treat others as one would want to be treated by them. found in many faith traditions.
Conduct during war
Whilst there is not a distinct Just War theory in Judaism, rules about behaviour before, during and after the war are provided in sources such as Genesis and the Book of Deuteronomy.
Over time, the modern application of these ideas that have developed are:
Just Cause: The reasons for going to war must be fair, for example in self-defence, and never for revenge or greed.
Correct Authority: Those declaring war should be in a legitimate position to do so, such as the recognised government.
Intention of going to war: The aims of the war should be clear to ensure that outcomes of war achieve more than not going to war.
Last resort: Going to war should be the last choice after trying to resolve issues through measures such as diplomacy or economic sanctions.
Reasonable chance of success: There must be a belief that the war can be won before starting it, to prevent unjustifiable deaths.
Proportional and appropriate force: The amount of force and weapons should be carefully calculated so as to avoid harming innocent civilians.
Terrorism
Judaism strongly opposes terrorism.
All decent people join together to repudiate terrorist violence … our heroes are those who pursue peace, not those who destroy it.”
The Chief Rabbi of the UK, Ephraim Mirvis (2014)
Terrorism is illegal and the current UK definition is set out in the Terrorism Act 2000:
The use or threat of serious violence against a person or serious damage to property where that action is: designed to influence the government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public; and for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause.”
Examples of modern terror attacks include:
- 11 September 2001, suicide attackers seized US passenger planes and crashed them into two New York skyscrapers, killing 2,977 people.
- 22 July 2011, Anders Breivik killed 77 people in Norway by firstly detonating a van bomb and then carrying out a mass shooting.
- 19 March 2012, three children and their teacher were killed in a shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse, France.
- 14 October 2017, at least 587 people were killed in a truck bombing in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
Nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction
Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) can kill lots of people and include chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons are enormously powerful explosives that use a nuclear reaction. The explosions they produce are so powerful that one nuclear bomb can destroy a large city, which Does not show any careful thought, choice or planning. kills huge numbers of people.
No religion agrees with the use of weapons of mass destruction.
Most Jews believe that only God has the right to take life away as stated in one of the ten commandments: “Do not kill,” (Exodus 20:13). Therefore, humans do not have the right to use weapons that cause death, especially weapons that indiscriminately target lots of people. For this reason, most Jewish people would find it very difficult to support the use of weapons of mass destruction.
We join to call on the world to recognise that violence begets violence; that nuclear proliferation benefits no one.”
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action centre of Reform Judaism (1974-2015)
Many Jews would agree with the theory of Utilitarianism, which sees the right thing to do as “the greatest good for the greatest number” and weapons of mass destruction would go against this principle.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On 6 August 1945, the USA dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The blast devastated an area of five square miles, destroying more than 60 percent of the city’s buildings and killing around 140,000 people.
Three days later the USA dropped a second atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, killing around 74,000 people. The nuclear radiation released by the bombs caused thousands more deaths from radiation sickness in the weeks, months and years that followed.
GCSE exam-style question
Explain two religious beliefs about the use of weapons of mass destruction.
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
Answers could include:
Most Jews believe that only God has the right to take life away as stated by the commandment “Do not kill,” (Exodus 20:13). Therefore, humans do not have the right to use weapons that cause death, especially weapons that are non-discriminatory. Using weapons of mass destruction increases the potential for innocent civilians to be killed or injured, which means that the criteria of a Just War cannot be followed.
Most Jews would still be very firm in their belief that weapons of mass destruction should not be used because of the damage that is caused to God’s creation, not just in the present but for future generations to come: “Nuclear proliferation benefits no one … we can, we will and we must find other ways to protect ourselves, our nations and our future,” (Rabbi David Saperstein).
Justice
Justice is a key issue in Judaism and appears frequently in many Jewish teachings. Pirkei Avot 1:18 highlights the importance of peace as a foundation for a well-functioning society.
On three things does the world stand; on justice, on truth and on peace. As it is said, 'Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.' (Zechariah 8:16).”
Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel
Jews should therefore commit themselves to the promotion of these attributes.
Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 16:20
Listen to your fellow men and decide justly… Listen to great and small alike. Fear no one, for judgement belongs to God.”
Deuteronomy 1:17
Judaism views justice as the foundation of a fair and moral society. One of the words for justice (Tzedek) can also be translated as righteous.
The sword comes into the world because of justice delayed and justice denied.”
Pirkei Avot 5:8
Judaism teaches that God has always existed as judge over his creation and his judgement decides the fate of each person. Many Jews also believe that there will come a time when God, who is the final judge of all things, will ensure that there is peace on earth.
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
Isaiah 2:4
He is the Lord, our God. His judgments are in all the earth.”
Psalms 105:7
However, until that time, many Jews believe that they should spend efforts striving towards what is right and just and behaving in the manner in which God asks.
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”
Isaiah 1:17
GCSE exam-style question
Outline three Jewish beliefs about the causes of war.
Jewish people believe:
Some wars occur because they have been commanded by God
If peace cannot be achieved then war is justifiable.
Retaliation in self-defence can be a cause of war.
Attitudes to peace and pacifism
Video
Watch the video below to compare Jewish, Muslim and Christian attitudes towards whether religious people should always be pacifists.
Christian presenter: Hi. I'm a Christian.
Muslim presenter: I'm a Muslim.
Jewish presenter: And I'm Jewish.
Christian presenter: We all agree that in an ideal world, there would be no war.
Muslim presenter: We'd all be living in peace.
Jewish presenter: But sadly, that's not the world we live in where violence is a reality.
Christian presenter: A pacifist is someone who believes that violence should never be used.
Muslim presenter: Mainly because human lives are precious.
Jewish presenter: So should religious people like us who want to live good lives in a better society be pacifists?
Christian presenter: In the Bible, Jesus certainly seems to teach about pacifism. He said, 'blessed are the peacemakers. Love your enemies and if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also'.
Muslim presenter: Muslims traditionally greet each other by saying Salaam alaikum, which means peace be with you in Arabic. And it reminds me to live a peaceful life. The Qur’an says 'Paradise is for those who curb their anger and forgive their fellow men. And the true Muslims walk on the earth humbly. And when the foolish address them improperly, they only respond with peace.'
Jewish presenter: The traditional Jewish greeting is similar. We say Shalom, which means peace in Hebrew. The Jewish prophets look forward to a time without war. 'Nations will not raise their swords at each other, and they will no longer learn war.' And we believe there will be a messiah, a great future leader, who will bring peace. He will be called 'Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'. So all our religions teach that we should live peacefully.
Christian presenter: And many religious people do lead a pacifist life. There's a Christian denomination called the Quakers or the Religious Society of Friends, which was founded on the idea of pacifism. Many Quakers were conscientious objectors during both World wars, which means they refused to fight because of their Christian beliefs. Instead, they used non-violent methods to campaign against injustice. Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor in the Baptist church who, in the 1950s and 60s campaigned to get equal rights for black people in the USA. Because of his Christian beliefs he insisted his protest should always use non-violent methods, even though violence was often used against him.
Jewish presenter: Martin Luther King was helped in his non-violent protest by people from many faiths, including Jewish Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who not only campaigned but he also called for an end to the USA's war in Vietnam.
Muslim presenter: More recently, the Muslim campaigner Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize when she was just 17 in 2014. In a speech to the United Nations, she outlined her belief that ignorance is a cause of violence. She said, 'let us pick up our books and our pens. They are the most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.'
Christian presenter: But many would argue that sometimes violence has to be met with violence, because the alternative is to let evil win. During the Second World War, a German Christian pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, argued that violence is sometimes necessary to restore peace, and he followed up his argument with action. He was arrested and executed in 1945 for his part in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
Jewish presenter: The Book of Ecclesiastes says, 'There is a time for everything. A time to love, a time to hate. A time for war. A time for peace'. Judaism teaches that we should fight when our existence is threatened, as it was during World War II in Nazi Germany. At a time like that, pacifism doesn't feel like an option to me. But the book of Deuteronomy instructs us to fight only after peace talks have failed, and innocent people should not be killed.
Muslim presenter: Many Muslims also believe that sometimes it's a duty to fight. The Qur’an says, 'Why should you not fight in God's cause? And for those oppressed men, women and children who cry out?'
Jewish presenter: If everyone put their weapons down, then we can all finally live in peace. But my late grandfather was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. So I know that there are times when people do have to fight to stay alive. If the UK was threatened by another country, what would my faith tell me to do? I hope that I'd make the right decision.
Christian presenter: It's something I'd have to weigh up really carefully to.
Muslim presenter: And decide if a pacifist alternative to fighting was realistic.
Jewish presenter: I think we'd all agree that although pacifism is difficult in a violent world,
Christian presenter: peace is something that religious people should be actively working towards.
Muslim presenter: Because we all want to live in a community where we are valued and safe. But what do you think?
Judaism is not a pacifist religion, although individually Jews may be pacifists. Peace means an absence of conflict and is the opposite of war.
Shun evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 34:15
The Torah emphasises the importance of pursuing peace before starting war:
When you approach a town to attack it, you shall offer it terms of peace.”
Deuteronomy 20:10
The importance of peace to the Jewish people is emphasised by the word ‘Shalom,’ meaning peace, and has been used as a greeting between Jews for thousands of years.
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11
Pacifism and peace-making
Pacifism means rejecting all violence.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020) was an international religious leader, philosopher and award-winning author. taught that: “Wars are won by weapons, but peace is won by ideas,” and he encouraged Jews, as well as those of other faiths or none, to work together to try and prevent conflict.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1
Case study – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907 – 1972), a Polish-American rabbi and leading Jewish theologian of the 20th century. campaigned for civil rights in America and called for an end to the USA’s war in Vietnam. In 1965, he joined Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in the march from Selma to Montgomery, which aimed to ensure constitutional voting rights for Black Americans.
Rabbi Heschel spoke against the futility of war in his work ‘The Prophets’ saying: “The prophets, questioning man's infatuation with might, insisted not only on the immorality but also on the futility and absurdity of war. What is the ultimate profit of all the arms, alliances, and victories? Destruction, agony, death.” And quoting from Habakkuk 2:13:
The nations exhaust themselves for nothing.”
Emmanuel Ringelblum was a Polish Jew who, during his time in the Warsaw Ghetto, became a believer in armed resistance - although passive as far as possible.
However, he also worked with great urgency documenting what was happening as evidence and as a way of showing how something like the ghetto programme should never happen again. He created biographical notes on some of the great figures and events in the ghetto. Before the ghetto was destroyed, much of his work was buried for future generations to find.
GCSE exam-style question
Give two Jewish beliefs about peace and pacifism.
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
Answers could include:
Whilst it is important to pursue peace as a first option, as written in Deuteronomy 20:10, war can become necessary if the other party involved are not open to resolving peacefully.
Some Jews will individually choose to become pacifists, subscribing to the idea that comes from other cultures to prevent war and conflict in every situation. Many other Jews agree with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks when he says: “Wars are won by weapons, but peace is won by ideas,”. Jewish teachings encourage Jews to look for peace and shun evil. These Jews believe that if this was to happen, then there would be no wars.
Useful quotes about peace and conflict from Judaism
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Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Video
Watch the video below to compare Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu attitudes towards whether religious people should always forgive.
Buddhist presenter: Hello, I'm a Buddhist.
Hindu presenter: I'm a Hindu.
Jewish presenter: And I'm Jewish.
Buddhist presenter: And today we're talking about forgiveness
Hindu presenter: And how hard it can be to forgive other people when you've been treated unfairly.
Jewish presenter: But should we as religious people always forgive?
Buddhist presenter: One of the most important Buddhist teachings is 'Ahimsa', which means 'non harming'. It's all about living a non-violent life and avoiding anything that might lead us to violence. Forgiveness is a big part of that. We're taught to let go of the need for revenge and other feelings that might lead us to harm someone.
Hindu presenter: The principle of Ahimsa originally comes from Hinduism. It's one of the 'yamas', the good qualities we should try to develop. And another is “kshama”, which means forgiveness.
Jewish presenter: Jews also believe that non-violence is the ideal and that forgiveness is important, so important, we have a special day devoted to it every year called 'Yom Kippur', which is Hebrew for, 'the Day of Atonement'. We fast and ask God to forgive us for all the things we've done wrong. But during the ten days before Yom Kippur, we should go and ask for forgiveness from any people we think we've wronged.
Buddhist presenter: The Buddha's advice was to forgive and move on. He described how some people dwell on their grudges, 'He abused me. He struck me. He overcame me. He robbed me. In those who do not harbour such thoughts, hatred will cease.' Instead, the Buddha taught that we should try to develop 'metta', loving kindnessand 'Karuna', compassion for other people, even people who've hurt us.
Hindu presenter: But forgiveness is difficult. Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu who used non-violent protest to campaign for an end of British rule in India. He said, 'The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.'
Jewish presenter: And there are examples of people showing incredible forgiveness,even in the most unthinkable situations. Eva Mozes Kor was a survivor of the Holocaust. Both her parents and two of her sisters were murdered at Auschwitz.Eva later spoke about the healing power of forgiveness. 'I believe forgiveness issuch a powerful thing', she said. 'It's free, it works, it has no side effects, and this is what our world needs besides punishment'.
Buddhist presenter: But should we always forgive whatever the situation?
Hindu presenter: Is that fair?
Jewish presenter: It means letting go with feelings that, you could argue, are totally justified.
Buddhist presenter: Don't we need to feel that justice has been done before we can forgive?
Hindu presenter: But forgiveness isn't about justice. It's a personal thing. I was hurt by a friend that I trusted. I was upset and angry with them. I didn't want to talk to them. I just wanted them out of my life. But that didn't make me feel good either. I realised my anger was just eating me up. I thought for a long time and decided to forgive them. Not because I didn't feel wronged, I did, but to make me feel better, to release my anger and to restore some balance in my life.
Jewish presenter: So we all agree that forgiveness on a personal level is what our religions teach us.
Buddhist presenter: And that can sometimes feel like a really hard thing to do.
Hindu presenter: But forgiveness allows us to let go of painful feelings that only do harm to ourselves.
Jewish presenter: And even if I've chosen to forgive someone, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't face justice for what they've done.
Buddhist presenter: They might even learn something from being forgiven. But what do you think?
The Torah teaches that forgiveness is an important part of A duty, or a mitzvah, where Jews actively try to make amends for the wrongs they have committed..
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people.”
Leviticus 19:18
Judaism teaches that because humans have been given free will, they are responsible for their own actions. The belief is that if someone commits an action which is wrong, then they must seek forgiveness. Repenting and regretting the wrongdoing is not enough and forgiveness should be sought from the victims.
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression… You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
Micah 7:18
Teshuva
Judaism places great emphasis on teshuva. This is when Jews will actively try to make amends for the wrongs they have committed. Many Jews do this by:
Yom Kippur
The festival of Yom Kippur is a time when Jews To return to the path of righteousness and work towards self-improvement and Restoring harmony to a relationship that has broken down. Jews see this as a time to seek God’s forgiveness for any wrong doings and make a commitment to improve their actions going forwards.
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Jeremiah 31:34
This teaching is taken by some Jews to mean that God is all forgiving, and as just he forgives them, they should emulate him and seek to forgive each other.
When the person who wronged him asks for forgiveness, he should forgive him with a complete heart and a willing spirit.”
Maimonides, Teshuvah 2:10
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is making up and rebuilding relationships between two sides after a conflict. It is more than just apologising, it is actively working towards peace and moving on from the situation.
I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:25
Forgiveness case study - Eva Mozes Kor
Eva Mozes Kor (1934-2019) was born in Romania and was deported with her Jewish family to A death camp built near Kraków, Poland. Approximately 1 million Jewish people were murdered at Auschwitz. in 1944.
Both of her parents and two older sisters were murdered by the An abbreviation for the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) and its members. The term was originally thought up by political opponents of the party. The Nazi Party's main ideas were based on racism, including antisemitism, and hostility towards democracy and other political systems, such as communism and socialism. during the The Holocaust was the murder of approximately six million Jewish men, women and children by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War Two..
Eva and her twin sister survived but were subjected to brutal torture and abuse by Josef Mengele.
In later years, Eva gave many interviews where she often chose to focus on the power of forgiveness. She described her forgiveness of the Nazis as a way of helping her to deal with the horrific things that she had been subjected to.
I believe forgiveness is such a powerful thing. It is free. It works. It has no side effects. And this is what our world needs besides punishment.”
Eva Mozes Kor (2015)
GCSE exam-style question
Give two Jewish views about forgiveness and reconciliation.
The festival of Yom Kippur is about forgiveness and reminds Jews that God is all forgiving. As he forgives them, they should seek to forgive each other: “When the person who wronged him asks for forgiveness, he should forgive him with a complete heart and a willing spirit,” (Maimonides, Teshuvah 2:10).
Jews also believe that as humans can be reconciled with God then they should also reconcile with others when relationships have broken down: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins,” (Isaiah 43:25).
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