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So Even If It’s Not a Milchemes Mitzvah, Is There a Halachic Obligation to Fight in the Wars?

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This question strikes at the heart of the modern Jewish dilemma in the State of Israel: Even if a war doesn’t meet the Torah’s criteria of a “milchemes mitzvah” — do we still have a halachic obligation to fight?

The answer, from the Charedi Torah worldview, is no — and the reasons are rooted in halachah, hashkafah, and the primacy of Torah over nationalism.

I. Torah Does Not Mandate Endangering Oneself Without Halachic Justification

In halachah, pikuach nefesh — protecting life — is a supreme value. But so too is the prohibition of sakanas nefashos — placing oneself in danger unnecessarily.

The Chasam Sofer (Responsa, Choshen Mishpat 177) rules clearly:

“It is forbidden for a Jew to place himself in a situation of mortal danger unless the Torah explicitly requires it. Even if the intent is to save others — it must be done according to halachic parameters.”

This means that endangering one’s life in a war that does not meet the Torah’s criteria — under secular authority, for secular reasons — is not automatically permitted, let alone obligatory.

II. Halachah Requires Torah Authority — Not Political Orders

According to the Rambam and Chazal, even wars of defense must be under the direction of the Sanhedrin or recognized Torah leadership.

A soldier cannot override halachah simply because a government demands it. Rav Chaim Soloveitchik zt”l famously said:

“A Jewish soldier does not listen to generals — he listens to the Shulchan Aruch.”

The Charedi world holds that no political or military leader, no matter how talented, can obligate Jews to fight without daas Torah.

III. Rav Elchonon Wasserman: When War Is Not a Mitzvah, It May Be a Sin

In his sefer Kovetz Maamarim, Rav Elchonon Wasserman Hy”d wrote:

“A war fought without Torah guidance is not a mitzvah — it may even be a me’oras aveirah (an act of sin).”

He warned that the modern Zionist movement might co-opt Jewish youth to fight wars that are not rooted in Torah values, with no long-term benefit to Klal Yisrael’s ruchniyus or geulah.

IV. Rav Shach zt”l: Halacha Does Not Obligate Draft or Participation

Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l stated repeatedly:

“The secular government does not have halachic jurisdiction over Jews. The Torah does. And the Torah does not obligate any Jew to fight in wars commanded by irreligious leaders for nationalistic purposes.”

He added that the sha’at hadchak (emergency) argument is often used to pressure bochurim to join the army — but that the spiritual danger is even more serious than the physical one.

V. Teshuvos From Leading Poskim

  • Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l (Igros Moshe, Yoreh Deah 4:36) explained that even in times of external threat, we must seek Torah-directed methods of protection, and avoid turning Jews into instruments of secular nationalism.
  • Rav Yitzchak Hutner zt”l wrote that the modern concept of Jewish military service seeks to redefine Jewish identity through force — and therefore cannot be embraced within halachah.
  • Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l taught that the spiritual price of serving in the IDF — even for non-learners — is too high, and that Yidden with yiras Shamayim should not enlist, even if they are not in yeshivah.

VI. What About Defending Lives?

Again, defending Jews is always important — but not every role in defense requires direct military enlistment. The Charedi world believes:

  • The primary shield of Am Yisrael is Torah (see Sotah 21a: “Torah protects and saves”).
  • Physical defense can be arranged through other frameworks, without violating halachah, tznius, and yiras Shamayim.
  • Volunteers from among the non-observant public already fill most army roles, and secular society does not place equal national service burdens on all sectors (see earlier section on IDF exemptions).

VII. Summary

Even if a war is necessary from a political or national perspective, this does not mean that the Torah mandates fighting in it.

Unless it meets the halachic definition of milchemes mitzvah — as defined by Torah sources and led by Torah leaders — there is no chiyuv to fight.

To the contrary: placing oneself under secular authority, endangering one’s spiritual and physical well-being, and potentially violating halachah — all without Torah mandate — is not a mitzvah, and may even be a serious aveirah.

Sources and Footnotes

  1. Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 5:1–3
  2. Talmud Bavli, Sotah 21a — Torah protects and saves
  3. Chasam Sofer, Shu”t Choshen Mishpat 177
  4. Rav Elchonon Wasserman, Kovetz Maamarim, Maamar “Milchama”
  5. Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah 4:36
  6. Rav Shach, Michtavim uMaamarim, vol. 3
  7. Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Pachad Yitzchak, Maamarim on Tisha B’Av
  8. Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, Ayeles HaShachar, Bamidbar