What Are the Charedi Thoughts on Hamas and Other Terrorists? Is Physically Wiping Them Out the Solution?
For decades, Jews in Eretz Yisrael have faced the vicious terror of Hamas and other murderous groups. Rockets rain down, tunnels are dug beneath our cities, and innocent lives are stolen in moments of horror. The natural reaction is: wipe them out. Use force. Eliminate evil.
But what is the authentic Charedi Torah view on this issue? Do Charedim believe that physically destroying terror groups will solve the problem? Do we fear terrorists? Or only Hashem? And most importantly: what does the Torah demand of us in response?
Let us explore — with Torah sources, emunah, and clarity.
1. Terrorists Are Not in Control — Hashem Is
The Charedi world believes that every single thing that happens is orchestrated by Hashem — including the rise of terror groups. They are not in charge of the world. Hashem is.
As Chazal say:
"אין אדם נוקף אצבעו מלמטה אלא אם כן מכריזין עליו מלמעלה" “A person does not stub his finger below unless it is decreed from above.” — Chullin 7b [1]
When a terror attack occurs, Charedim don’t just ask, “What can the army do better?” We ask, “What does Hashem want from us?” Because nothing — not even evil — operates outside His control.
2. The Torah's Approach to Enemies: Spiritual Causes, Spiritual Solutions
In Parashas Bechukosai, the Torah tells us clearly:
וְרָדְפוּ מִכֶּם חֲמִשָּׁה מֵאָה וּמֵאָה מִכֶּם רְבָבָה יִרְדֹּפוּ... “Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand…” — Vayikra 26:8 [2]
This isn’t poetic exaggeration. It is a promise: when Klal Yisrael is connected to Hashem and His Torah, we win — no matter how few we are. And when we are disconnected?
וְנָסוּ מֵרֹדֵף וְאֵין רֹדֵף “You will flee even when no one is chasing you.” — Vayikra 26:17 [3]
These are spiritual patterns, not military ones.
3. Terror Is a Wake-Up Call — Not Just a Security Crisis
The Chofetz Chaim zt”l explained that everything Hashem does to Klal Yisrael — including war and suffering — is meant to bring us closer to Him.
"אם עם ישראל אינו שומע לדברי הנביאים, אז הקב"ה שולח אומות העולם להכות בהם — וזהו לשם תיקון." “If the Jewish people don’t listen to the prophets, Hashem sends other nations to strike them — as a means of correction.” — Chofetz Chaim, Al HaTorah, Parashas Bechukosai [4]
Hamas, then, is a stick in the hand of Hashem — not an independent threat. Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus zt”l explained:
"הפחד מהאויבים בא מן השמים. הפחד הזה הוא עצמו התראה מהקב״ה!" “The fear of enemies comes from Heaven. That fear itself is a warning from Hashem!” — Rav Pincus, Tiferes Shimshon, Tehillim 3 [5]
4. The Danger of Trusting Military Power Over Torah
One of the great dangers of modern nationalism is the illusion that our strength comes from politics or armies. But the Torah warns:
כִּי לֹא בְחֶרֶבָּם יָרְשׁוּ אָרֶץ... כִּי אֲהַבְתָּם “For not with their sword did they conquer the land… but because You loved them.” — Tehillim 44:4 [6]
The Chazon Ish zt”l famously wrote:
"החינוך להתחזקות בבטחון ה׳ ולהתרחקות מבטחון בזרוע בשר הוא יסוד יסודות תורת ישראל." “Educating to trust in Hashem and to distance ourselves from relying on human strength — that is a foundation of Torah.” — Emunah U’Bitachon, ch. 2 [7]
We are not pacifists. We protect Jewish lives. But we don’t place our trust in human efforts — we place it in Torah, tefillah, and teshuvah.
5. Fear No Evil — Only Fear Hashem
Do Charedim fear Hamas? The answer is no. We fear only Hashem.
ה׳ לִי לֹא אִירָא — מַה יַּעֲשֶׂה לִי אָדָם “Hashem is with me, I shall not fear — what can man do to me?” — Tehillim 118:6 [8]
יְרֵא ה׳ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו חָפֵץ מְאֹד. לֹא יִירָא מִשְּׁמוּעָה רָעָה, נָכוֹן לִבּוֹ בָּטֻחַ בַּה׳ “He who fears Hashem… will not fear bad news. His heart is firm, trusting in Hashem.” — Tehillim 112:1,7 [9]
This is how Jews have survived every danger for generations. Not by strength — but by faith.
Conclusion: Torah Is the True Iron Dome
Hamas is evil. Terror must be stopped. Jewish lives must be protected. But if we want real protection — not temporary ceasefires — then Torah must be our Iron Dome.
Weapons and armies are only tools in Hashem’s hands. They have no power of their own.
אֵלֶּה בָרֶכֶב וְאֵלֶּה בַסּוּסִים וַאֲנַחְנוּ בְּשֵׁם ה׳ אֱלֹקֵינוּ נַזְכִּיר “Some trust in chariots and some in horses — but we call upon the Name of Hashem our G-d.” — Tehillim 20:8 [10]
If Klal Yisrael strengthens itself in Torah, emunah, tefillah, and mitzvos — terror will disappear.
That is not a theory. It is the eternal promise of Hashem Himself.
Footnotes & Sources
- תלמוד בבלי חולין ז ע"ב Chullin 7b – “אין אדם נוקף אצבעו מלמטה אלא אם כן מכריזין עליו מלמעלה” (“A man does not injure his finger below unless it was decreed above.”)
- ויקרא כו:ח Vayikra 26:8 – “ורדפו מכם חמשה מאה ומאה מכם רבבה ירדפו”
- ויקרא כו:יז Vayikra 26:17 – “ונסתם ואין רודף אתכם”
- חפץ חיים על התורה, פרשת בחוקותי Chofetz Chaim, Al HaTorah, Bechukosai
- תפארת שמשון על תהלים, פרק ג Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus, Tiferes Shimshon, Tehillim 3
- תהלים מד:ד Tehillim 44:4 – “כי לא בחרבם ירשו ארץ... כי אהבתם”
- חזון איש, אמונה ובטחון, פרק ב Chazon Ish, Emunah U’Bitachon, ch. 2
- תהלים קיח:ו Tehillim 118:6 – “ה׳ לי לא אירא — מה יעשה לי אדם”
- תהלים קיב:א,ז Tehillim 112:1,7 – “ירא ה׳ במצותיו חפץ מאוד... נכון לבו בטוח בה׳”
- תהלים כ:ח Tehillim 20:8 – “אלה ברכב ואלה בסוסים ואנחנו בשם ה׳ נזכיר”