The precious partnership between soldiers and scholars

One of the most widely debated and emotionally charged issues in the Jewish world is drafting Bnei Yeshiva into the IDF.

But sadly, the voices that scream loudest in the conversation are the polar extremes on either side of the equation.

There are those who claim that the Bnei Yeshiva are ruining the country, draining society and deserting their brethren and every one of them must be drafted.

On the opposite side of the religious extreme are those who claim that the IDF is trying to uproot the Torah from the Jewish people, forcibly secularize its conscripts and one must die before they enlist.

And often times, each side of the polarized debate will selectively cherry pick Torah sources, often misquoting them as well to attempt to back up their position.

While each side does have a point, in my opinion, the true Torah view is one which is much more nuanced and sensitive.

One in which the shared mission and vision of soldiers and scholars is viewed as an integrative partnership, each one benefiting and strengthening the other in true national unity and victory.

Let’s explore a few of the sources together. The topic is really based on two Gemaras, the first of which is the following Gemara in Sanhedrin 49a:

“Were it not for David, who studied Torah, Joab would not have been able to wage war successfully, and were it not for the military acumen of Joab, David would not have been able to study Torah. As it is written: “And David executed judgment and justice to all his people, and Joab, son of Zeruiah, was over the army” (II Samuel 8:15–16). What is the reason that David “executed judgment and justice to all his people”? He was able to do so because “Joab, son of Zeruiah, was over the army,” assisting him and fighting his battles. And what is the reason that “Joab, son of Zeruiah, was over the army”? He was able to do so because “David executed judgment and justice to all his people.”

The Gemara is very clear. Learning and fighting is a partnership. Each side must show respect and gratitude for the other. Each one enables the other’s success and a sense of brotherhood and unity exists even though they have different roles.

“Apropos the virtue of Torah study, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Our feet were standing in your gates, Jerusalem” (Psalms 122:2)? What caused our feet to withstand the enemies in war? It is the gates of Jerusalem, where they were engaged in Torah study. He interprets the term “in your gates” to mean: Because of your gates, the place of justice and Torah.

Again, this Gemara is praising the partnership of learning and fighting. The Gemara says that ultimate victory comes from the spiritual merit, but only in collaboration with the soldiers actually risking their lives in battle!

Let’s go a little deeper and see a Chassidic commentary, Marit HaAyin on Makkot 10a which explains the inner dynamic of how learning affects military victory,

… it is known that through Torah study, the sparks of holiness are clarified, especially when the Torah is learned lishmah (for its own sake)—then the clarification is even greater. So, when a nation wages war against Israel, it does so by the power of the holy sparks that are in its ministering angel and in the nation itself.

Therefore, by engaging in Torah lishmah, the sparks are separated out, and the vitality and power of that ministering angel and nation—who wage war—are diminished. They stumble and fall. And when their feet falter, our feet stand firm in battle. What caused this? The gates of Jerusalem, where they were engaged in Torah study, thereby taking away the vitality and influence of that nation.

The following Zohar, Beshalach 20 also echoes a similar idea:

Said R. Hiya: ‘The words, “Thy right hand, O Lord, glorified in power”, refer to the Torah. This “right hand” does “dash in pieces the enemy”; for there is nothing which can break the power of the heathen nations save the power of the Torah, in the study of which Israel is absorbed. For as long as they are faithful students of the Torah the “Right Hand” is powerful and breaks down the domination of the heathen, and therefore the Torah is called “Strength”, as it says, “The Lord will give strength to his people” (Ps. 29, 11).

A further understanding of this concept can be seen from the partnership between Yissachar and Zevulun, on Devarim 33:18 with the comment of the Zohar, Behalotcha 5:26
Zohar, Behalotcha 5:26

Come and see: It is written (Devarim 33:18), “And of Zevulun he said: Rejoice, Zevulun, in your going out, and Yissachar in your tents.” This teaches that they partnered together as one. Zevulun would go out and engage in commerce and battle, and Yissachar would sit and toil in Torah. This one (Zevulun) would provide a portion for that one (Yissachar), and that one would give a portion to this one—i.e., each sustained the other in his respective mission.

They were on the same team, and yes both existed as brothers, each one respecting and valuing the other’s role.

The concept is further developed from the following Midrash in Eichah Rabbah, Pesichta 2

Rabbi Abba bar Kahana began: “Who is the wise man who will understand this…” (Jeremiah 9:11). Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai taught: If you have seen towns uprooted from their place in the Land of Israel, know that they did not provide the salaries of the Bible teachers and the Mishna teachers, as it is stated: “For what reason did the land perish.… The Lord said: Because they have forsaken My Torah” (Jeremiah 9:11–12). Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] would dispatch Rabbi Asi and Rabbi Ami to go out and establish [educational programs] in the cities of Israel. They would enter the city and say to [the residents]: ‘Bring us the guardians of the city.’ They would bring them the head of the city watch and the police. They would say to them: ‘Are these the guardians of the city? These are the destroyers of the city.’ [The residents] would say to them: ‘Who are the guardians of the city?’ They would say to [the residents]: ‘They are the Bible teachers and the Mishna teachers, who contemplate, review, and observe the Torah day and night, because it is stated: “You shall contemplate it day and night” (Joshua 1:8)…

But, the million dollar question is who decides who goes to learn and who goes to fight? What is the perfect balance that Klal Yisrael needs to strike?

Perhaps a cryptic comment of the Baal Shem Tov on this Passuk in Keter Shem Tov 1:1 will shed light on the answer:

From the Besht there is an explanation (to Midrash: Eicha Rabba Pesichta Beis) “If only they would abandon me and [they] would watch my Torah”. The explanation: For true knowledge is that one does not know. However, there are two types of not knowing. One is that one immediately doesn’t enter to probe and to know after [the fact is] that is impossible to know. The second [way of not knowing] is that one probes and seeks until he knows that it is impossible to know. The difference between this and that one [can be understood] with a parable. There were two people who wanted to know the king. One of them entered into all the rooms of the king and benefited from all the rooms and halls of the king. After this he was not able to know the king. [In contrast] the second one said that after it is impossible to know the king he didn’t enter into the rooms of the king at all. From the Baal Shem Tov, everyone needs to act on their own level. This is not the case when one grasps the level of his friend, both don’t last. This what is written “Many (tried) to do like Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and they were not successful” meaning they weren’t at his stature, rather they only did like Rabbi Shimon, for they saw him at this level, thus they were not successful.

The Baal Shem Tov is alluding to a number of fascinating ideas.

But that which is the most related to our topic is his final idea, that is we need to be honest with ourselves and not try to mimic anybody else.

If one genuinely feels he can best serve Klal Yisrael through the koach of Torah and immersing himself in the Beis Midrash, this is an amazing role of spiritual protection. On the other hand, if one feels they best serve Klal Yisrael in the battlefield or supporting soldiers in combat, this is a noble goal as well.

But whatever one chooses, they should look at the other side with a deep sense of respect, love, and mutual understanding.

Because it’s true as the slogan says, we will only be victorious TOGETHER!