Hello,
When possible, I have had a piece of advice that I have followed for a long time:
You are not obligated to respond to someone else’s petition.
If people ask you—write your own draft of a petition, stating what you believe, without the need to comment on others.
I am sending what I would have written for myself if I had decided to formulate petitions (which I do not…). Of course, you are not bound by this, but rather, it is simply a way to see the line of thought I am suggesting:
We… do not fully know the reality, and therefore, as in any halachic discussion, where clarifying the facts must come first, we cannot judge what is the correct course of action at this time.
We present to the State of Israel our fundamental principles and hope they will serve as a basis for decision-making. Our position is heavily influenced by the Torah and halacha, but this is not a halachic ruling, as no such ruling exists.
The traditional laws of redeeming captives are not a halachic ruling for the current situation—we are dealing with state-level laws. However, these laws teach us the supreme importance of communal and national responsibility for the hostages, even if it entails a certain cost. If reality dictates that their release may incur a certain future price, it should still be paid, as an immediate and tangible life-threatening danger takes precedence over potential future consequences. On the other hand, these same laws also instruct that there are certain limits to the price that should be paid.
Therefore, we must reject the statement “release at any cost,” as well as the statement “victory first, then the hostages.” Instead, we must follow a path that balances both obligations.
Those who are privy to the facts and decision-makers must operate within these parameters, and we pray that the Almighty will guide them with wisdom and sound judgment.
Our role is to remain united in heart and deeply connected with the families, to uplift the spirit of the nation, to strengthen mutual responsibility, to recognize that this is not a battle between the forces of light and darkness but a profound and complex debate with valid arguments on both sides, and to call on decision-makers to act based solely on substantive considerations.
Yuval Cherlow
Rabbi Cherlow is the Head of the Ethics Department at the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization.
