Rabbi Yose HaGalili says, “How meritorious is peace? Even in time of war Jewish law requires that one initiate discussions of peace.” (Leviticus Rabbah, Tzav 9);
Whereas the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries remain engaged in armed conflict in Iraq;
Whereas Judaism affirms the justice of war only as a response to life-threatening aggression, current or anticipated;
Whereas Judaism also affirms the supreme value of peace and peacemaking;
Whereas Judaism insists on the humane treatment of prisoners under all circumstances (see, for example, Deuteronomy 21); and
Whereas Jewish history and tradition express the hope that justice will ultimately triumph over violence.
Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call on its members and their communities to speak out against torture as a tool of war;
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call on its members and their communities to maintain support for civil liberties during a time of war;
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call on its members and their communities to create educational forums to teach about war and Jewish laws of war, and to imagine resolutions that might bring closure to the current conflict;
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call on its members and their communities to communicate the results of such discussions to local and national elected and other governmental officials and to the press in order to give voice in the public sphere to our perspectives on war and peace; and
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call on its members and their communities to remain active in support of soldiers of all faiths and extend special blessings to the military chaplains (including members of the Rabbinical Assembly) who are risking their lives on behalf of us all.
Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, March, 2006