Religious Authorities Condemn Illegal Violence Against Arabs and Advocate Torah Study with Scientific Knowledge
Religious leaders emphasize that harming Arabs or their property to deter attacks on Jews or to expel them is strictly forbidden. They stress the importance of obeying state laws, especially during wartime, as illegal acts undermine national unity and the collective war effort. The principle of "dina d'malchuta dina" (the law of the land is the law) obligates all citizens to follow Israeli laws, and unilateral violent actions risk damaging public consensus, international support, and security cooperation between soldiers and settlers in the West Bank.
Regarding participation in tours where illegal acts occur, such as theft from Arab properties, the authorities strongly condemn such behavior. Participants should protest these actions, and if ignored, they must refrain from joining such tours to avoid complicity in crimes. Theft is a severe prohibition rooted in the Ten Commandments and the Noahide laws.
On the topic of tithing, the sages instituted the practice of separating a tenth from profits as a modern substitute for biblical tithes and gifts to priests and the poor, adapting to economic changes from agriculture to commerce and industry. This "ma'aser kesafim" supports Torah teachers and aids the needy, with some authorities recommending even a fifth of profits to fulfill the mitzvah more fully.
Addressing the question of studying secular sciences, the article cites the Vilna Gaon (the Gra), who advocated for integrating secular knowledge with Torah study, asserting that lacking secular wisdom diminishes one’s grasp of Torah. This view is supported by his student and later rabbis, including Rabbi Kook, who saw secular knowledge as enhancing spiritual understanding.
Finally, the concern that studying sciences detracts from Torah learning is refuted by citing Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai, who mastered both Torah and secular wisdom without neglecting either. The article concludes that secular knowledge complements Torah study and is not considered a violation of Torah obligations.
