Pros and Cons.
Contents:
1. Maimonides: Jewish Law. Levites and Torah Students exempt from Military Service.
2. Extract from Jewish Religious Article in Favor of Military Service for Everybody.
3. Gynaecological Problems Casued by Female Military Service.
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1. Maimonides: Jewish Law. Levites and Torah Students exempt from Military Service.
Maimonides 1138-1204.
“AND WHY DID LEVI NOT MERIT AN INHERITANCE IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL AND ITS SPOILS TOGETHER WITH HIS BROTHERS? BECAUSE HE WAS SET APART TO SERVE THE LORD, TO MINISTER TO HIM, AND TO TEACH HIS STRAIGHT WAYS AND HIS RIGHTEOUS LAWS TO THE PUBLIC, AS IT IS SAID: ‘THEY SHALL TEACH YOUR JUDGMENTS TO JACOB AND YOUR TORAH TO ISRAEL.’ THEREFORE, THEY WERE SET APART FROM THE WAYS OF THE WORLD—THEY DO NOT WAGE WAR LIKE THE REST OF ISRAEL, AND THEY DO NOT INHERIT OR ACQUIRE FOR THEMSELVES BY THE STRENGTH OF THEIR BODIES. RATHER, THEY ARE THE LORD’S LEGION, AS IT IS SAID: ‘BLESS, O LORD, HIS ARMY.’ AND HE, BLESSED BE HE, PROVIDES FOR THEM, AS IT IS SAID: ‘I AM YOUR PORTION AND YOUR INHERITANCE.’
‘AND NOT ONLY THE TRIBE OF LEVI, BUT ANY PERSON FROM AMONG ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD WHOSE SPIRIT GENEROUSLY MOVES HIM, AND WHOSE INTELLECT UNDERSTANDS TO SET HIMSELF APART TO STAND BEFORE THE LORD, TO SERVE HIM, AND TO WORSHIP HIM, TO KNOW THE LORD, AND WHO WALKS UPRIGHTLY AS GOD MADE HIM, AND WHO THROWS OFF FROM HIS NECK THE YOKE OF THE MANY CALCULATIONS THAT PEOPLE SEEK — BEHOLD, HE BECOMES SANCTIFIED AS HOLY OF HOLIES. AND THE LORD SHALL BE HIS PORTION AND INHERITANCE FOREVER AND EVER, AND HE WILL GRANT HIM IN THIS WORLD THAT WHICH IS SUFFICIENT FOR HIM, AS HE HAS GRANTED TO THE KOHANIM AND THE LEVITES. AS DAVID, PEACE UPON HIM, SAID: ‘THE LORD IS MY PORTION AND MY CUP; YOU MAINTAIN MY LOT.’”
(Maimonides, Laws of Shemittah and Yovel 13:12–13).
This has been protested against: See:
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2. Extract from Jewish Religious Article in Favor of Military Service for Everybody.
The Draft Obligation of the Tribe of Levi and Yeshiva Students
https://en.yhb.org.il/revivim1174/
Extracts:
# 1. In practice, numerous Kohanim and Levites participated in the wars of Israel like all other soldiers; among them were great righteous men, such as Benaiah son of Yehoiada.
# 2. Moreover, before the Kohanim and Levites took part in the wars as regular fighters, they led the soldiers of Israel in their battles: as the Kohen anointed for war, as bearers of the Ark that went out with the fighters, as those who blew the trumpets, as officers responsible for exemptions from the draft, and as officers who harshly punished those who fled the battlefield. In other words, they served as the “Military Rabbinate Corps,” “Education Corps,” “Military Police,” and “Military Prosecution,” and afterward, still participated as regular fighters. Thus, in practice, they participated in the wars more than all the other tribes.
Members of the Tribe of Levi participated in the forces of David.
# “And these were the numbers of the heads of the ranks for battle who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him according to the word of the Lord: From the sons of Judah, bearing shield and spear—6,800 armed for war. From the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor for war—7,100. From the sons of Levi — 4,600. And Yehoiada the leader of Aaron, and with him 3,700… all these were men of war…” (1 Chronicles 12:24–39).
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Benaiah son of Yehoiada was the commander of the army of King Solomon (1-Kings 4:4) and he was a Cohen.
Nevertheless, according to the simple meaning the Tribe of Levi was usually exempt and so should any other Israelite have been who wished to dedicate himself to the Torah. it may be asked, What about occasions of life or death? In such matters it seems obvious that everybody should fight. What is being discussed here are the in-between situations.
The effective fighting power of an army may often depend on a small percentage of the whole army.
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3. Gynaecological Problems Casued by Female Military Service.
Another problem associated with female service int he military is Uterine Prolapse.
Uterine Prolapse (collapse of the womb) can be caused by heavy lifting or other activity.
AI Answer (Extract).
- High-Impact Activities: Exercises like paratrooper training and carrying heavy loads on long marches transmit significant forces directly into the female pelvis. [1]
- The IDF Experience: Legal petitions and military medical studies have highlighted that female combatants face an elevated risk of stress fractures and pelvic floor issues.
- Symptom Severity: Symptoms include pelvic heaviness or pressure, lower back pain, vaginal discomfort, urinary incontinence, and a palpable sensation of the uterus dropping.