Israel only goes to war as a last resort when backed against the wall and when their survival depends on it. Judaism is a peaceful belief system and only believes in 'just wars.' War is conflicting to Judaism because Judaism strives for 'Shalom' peace within the nation as well as with its neighbors and this has been the nature of Judaism since the time of the Patriarch Abraham, through King David and today. Israel will have to protect itself from 'losing its soul' because war can be very violent totally opposite to Shalom. This is a conundrum.

Judaism closely believes in and closely embraces the concept of 'Tikkun' which literally translates to 'repair.' Israel strives to engage in tikkun olam which is repairing the world and as you see war is not a part of this commitment to repair a broken world. Israel would rather repair the world than break it by war. Israel also is commited to repairing ones self individually or tikkun atzmi, repairing their broken communities such as the poor Charedim or tikkun Kehila, repairing the Jewish people as a group or tikkun Am and repairing Israel as a Jewish State or tikkum medinat. For Israel it is difficult to go to war but to protect Judaism and their beliefs and values they have no choice.

Before making foreign policy regarding Israel, we must understand the nuances and esoteric nature of Israel that includes theocracy where God's laws influence all aspects of government, society and policy as opposed to a democracy where all eligible citizens participate. In a theocracy God is the head of state and His laws supreme while in a democracy the rulership of the people stands supreme. When creating policy regarding a theocratic style society we cannot ask constituents to violate their consciences by bending religious written and oral laws and traditions from either the Tanak or Talmud, ignoring religious laws called Halakhah that are also woven into governmental laws, domestic and foreign policy making to accommodate an agreement.

The Jewish system of laws Halakhah is held tightly in the hearts of Jews as they relate to living, governing and policy making; it is the comprehensive path Jews walk. The system of laws are also comprised of moral laws found in the Gemara section of the Talmud called Haggadah. The Mishna portion of the Talmud is a brief summary of the oral law while the Gemara section comprise lengthy discertations and explanations of the outlines in the Mishna. The various sects of Judaism honor Halakhah differently to varying degrees and interpretations but the common denominator of honoring Halakhah is influential. We see the differences between the sects of Judaism played out even in the Knesset among the 12 seated parties comprised of the deeply religious Charedim, Orthodox, Conservative or Masorti, to the Reform, Reconstructionist, Humanistic, no Messianic sect openly represented in the Knesset. To Judaism as with Abrahamic religions 'life, law and policy' are synonymous.

Over the past 10 years there has been a keen interest in Jewish Studies as it relates to Christianity, the making of foreign policy and I wanted to help bring authentic information regarding Judaism to several audiences that will bring each from a near ideologue to ideologues. As I traveled I noticed some people were familiar with terms from Judaism but did not know the meaning of the terms, traditions or protocols. I hope to lay a foundation of Judaism with Christians, members of every belief system, media professionals and those who serve politically.

There are also several compelling reasons to present Judaism to an audience that is interested in the Jewish roots of the Christian Bible. There is an apologetic perspective whereby many Christians have nagging questions about the Bible and even frustrated regarding where to find the actual answers. This article provides many of those answers. God requires all Christians to have understanding about Christianity and the belief system they adhere to. The answers to Judaism as it pertains to our Old and New Testament are not obvious and require a command of Judaism to include the Tanakh and the Talmud that provide answers and explanations of what the Old and New Testaments are really saying.

 It is important to possess an authentic perspective not only a romantic perspective of Judaism. Christianity without realizing it can push Jews far from them especially Charedim, Orthodox Jews because we do not understand their scheme of thinking and how esoteric their beliefs are. To connect with Israel and its foreign and domestic policy making one must understand how they think and find the wisdom regarding their beliefs and values.This message is powerful and will provide insight as to Israel and their raizon d' etre or the purpose that justifies a things existence. Israel was designed to be a leadership nation to the entire world and is still in birth pains with regards to this God ascribed objective.

For example, I will share this much with you. God has given every people group a purpose in relationship to the entire world to make a unique contribution. The ancient Greeks contributed philosophy, ancient Egypt for their great monuments, ancient Persia food culture, ancient Rome the congressional style of government, ancient India University system, ancient China election of government officials, ancient Sparta military warfare. 

Israel is the only nation and people group given the three-fold objective to

1. Receive the Ten Commandments including Noahide Laws

2. To disseminate God's law to the entire planet

3. To bring forth a Messiah

These laws are the only laws that could keep the planet sound and congruent to God's system and His way of doing things. Countries that have adopted Noahide Laws and laws associated with the Ten-Commandments are first world countries and countries that ignore the laws given to Israel are essentially still developing countries.

If it weren't for Judaism there would be no Christianity. To conclude the Church has replaced the natural nation of Israel is a premature conclusion called "replacement theology." The Church and the natural nation of Israel operate side by side never one replacing the other or becoming obsolete. Remember Galatians 3:13 "the blessing of Abraham came on the gentiles through Jesus Christ."

The Christian Old Testament is translated verbatim from the Tanak or the Jewish Bible in a different sequence but the books are the same. The Christian New Testament quotes much of the Old Testament and draws historic and cultural contexts all sourced in the Tanak.

Definitions: Abrahamic religions - the monotheistic religions (one God) who accept the patriarch Abraham as their father of faith. Judaism, Islam, Christianity and more recently B'Hai also has this claim because of Keturah a wife of Abraham who settled in ancient Iran.

For more information see the following Books and Publications: THE MANY FACES OF JUDAISM  Understanding Israel Geo-Politically

BARNES AND NOBLE - PAPERBACK AND NOOK
AMAZON - PAPERBACK AND KINDLE EBOOK
POWELL'S BOOKS - PAPERBACK AND EBOOKS
ANDERSON'S BOOKSHOP - PAPERBACK