Light of Peace

1) Do not murder.
2) Do not steal.
3) Do not worship false gods.
4) Do not be sexually immoral.
5) Do not eat the limb of an animal before it is killed.
6) Do not curse God.
7) Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.

At the root of these laws lays the vital concept that there is a God Who created each and every person in His image, and that each person is dear to the Almighty and must be respected accordingly. These seven laws can still provide guidance to human civilization. They are the factors which distinguish humans from the wild animals of a jungle.

The examples have been given in Judaism when they had to fight their enemies. As the Jews drew close to battle, they were ordered to act with mercy. Before attacking, the Jews would always offer terms of peace. The Torah states, "When approaching a town to attack it, first offer them peace." (Deut. 20:10)

For example, before entering the Land of Israel, Joshua wrote three letters to the Canaanite nations. The first letter said, "Anyone who wants to leave Israel has permission to leave." The second letter said, "Whoever wants to make peace, can make peace." The final letter warned, "Whoever wants to fight, get ready”.. Upon receiving these letters, only one of the Canaanite nations (the Girgashites) heeded the call; they immigrated to Africa. Other nations opted to fight the Jews.

As the Canaanite nations who chose not to make a treaty, the Jews were still ordered to fight mercifully! For example, when besieging a city to conquer it, the Jews never surrounded it from all four sides. This way, one side was always left open to allow for anyone who wanted to escape. (See Maimonides, Laws of Kings ch. 6)

It is interesting that throughout Jewish history, waging war has always been a tremendous personal and national ordeal which ran contrary to the Jews’ peace-loving nature. King Saul lost his kingdom when he showed misplaced mercy by allowing the Amalekite king to live.

The reality is that war makes one callous and cruel. Therefore, since God Himself ordered the Jews to rid the Land of evil, God likewise promised the soldiers that they will retain their compassionate nature. In the words of Parsha: “God will have compassion on you, and reverse any display of anger that might have existed" (Deut. 13:18).