Collateral Damage?

Matot

Numbers 30:2 - 33:42

Précis: The parasha begins with a speech to the heads (matot) of the tribes concerning the importance and sacredness of vows. The parasha then returns to the war with the Midianites, including the purification of the warriors and division of the booty. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh express their desire to dwell east of the Jordon, and are permitted to do so, after promising to enter the Land to help the rest of the People defeat the Canaanites.

Num. 31:17-18: “Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.”

            This parasha relates the history of a war with the Midianites shortly before the Israelites enter the Land. All of the adult men are slain, including the King, and all of the adult women are slain. Only virgin females survive. Even the male children are to be killed.

            We cannot read these verses without a sense of horror, particularly with the atrocities of recent weeks. This story has all too many connections with the idea of jihad, genocide, and revenge.

            Is our lack of comfort  with this Divine command based on a misplaced imposition of our “modern” sense of morality on a situation 3,000 years ago? I would answer “no.” The 20^th century was perhaps the bloodiest century humanity has experienced. Can we so-called “modern” people look down upon these events and ignore the horrors of trench warfare, the Holocaust, and Hiroshima?   

            We should understand that the battle described here was the final struggle in a protracted war, and we know that protracted war takes a toll on the morality of most combatants. This being the case, the IDF’s record is truly remarkable during the decades-long struggle with its enemies, so many of whom take pride in their ability to target innocent civilians with the most heinous disregard for life – including their own. They glorify the killers of innocents, naming streets and squares in their honor. They cheer and give gifts of candy when innocent Israeli blood is shed.

            Based on the human experience of the 20^th century, we should understand that our claim to moral superiority over our ancient ancestors is misplaced and undeserved. Having said this, we can take justifiable pride in the efforts the IDF and the United States military take in investigating allegations of violations of the strict rules of engagement each nation has. These rules are aimed at containing and limiting the instances of civilian collateral damage. Even during war, we  (Americans and Israelis) both aim for a level of morality which other nations should envy.