The Army of King Moshiach: Torah Guidance for Soldiers and Leaders in Turbulent Times

Honorable Rabbi Yosef Edery
2 days ago
5 min read

Disclaimer: Although this article presents discussions and insights from Sanhedrin advisors, it is not a directive to act upon in any way. This content is purely educational, aimed at fostering understanding of the positions held by millions of Torah-observant Jews in the Holy Land as part of Torah study and exploring the root justifications for certain historical and contemporary approaches.

It does not encourage or instruct any form of violence.

Each soldier or individual must consult, on a one-to-one basis, with the Sanhedrin initiative or their rabbinical Beit Din before considering any actions involving potential violence, except in immediate moments of pikuach nefesh (life-saving situations) or self-defense where Torah permits decisive response.

Introduction to Rabbi Benad Even-Chen and the Army of King Moshiach

In these prophetic times, as we witness the unfolding of ancient promises, Rabbi Benad Even-Chen emerges as a guiding light. As a respected Sanhedrin advisor, Rabbi Even-Chen leads "The Army of King Moshiach" project, an initiative dedicated to infusing soldiers with a Moshiach-oriented mindset.

This project emphasizes connecting soldiers to their rich Jewish heritage, the eternal wisdom of the Torah, and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. By promoting values such as faith, justice, and divine purpose, it seeks to transform military service into a sacred mission aligned with Hashem's will.

Rabbi Even-Chen's work extends beyond the Jewish community, sharing messages of truth, peace, and prophetic hope to inspire global unity under Torah principles.

A Message of Unity: Soldiers of Light

We are the soldiers of light in the Promised Land, Walking with pure hearts toward eternal glory, Carrying the message of peace to the nations, Raising the banner of truth in the Name of the One God.

God has promised us the Third Holy Temple,Where the lights of Torah and mercy will shine,And the world shall hear the voice of the King Messiah,Calling for justice and love among all mankind.

We proclaim the Seven Laws of Noah,A light to the world, a path to life,From Zion shall go forth the teaching,And from Jerusalem, everlasting peace.

We invite all seekers of truth—soldiers, leaders, and people worldwide—to join this movement.

10 Top Torah Principles to Guide Soldiers and Political Leaders

To align actions with Hashem's will, Torah, and Halacha, here are 10 key principles drawn from sacred texts. These serve as eternal guides for moral conduct in leadership and warfare, emphasizing justice, self-defense, and divine obedience:

Self-Defense Preemption: "If someone comes to kill you, rise up early and kill him first." This underscores the duty to act decisively against threats.
Reciprocal Justice in Conflict: "Happy is the one who dashes your infants against the rocks," teaching measured response to enemies' atrocities.
Limits on Redeeming Captives: Do not pay more than market value to avoid encouraging further captures.
Excessive Ransom Prohibition: Avoid exorbitant payments that endanger the community.
Remember Amalek's Deeds: Mandating the eradication of unrepentant evil.
Destruction of Wicked Societies: As with Sodom and Gomorrah, systemic cruelty and immorality lead to judgment.
Laws of the Idolatrous City: Completely destroy a city corrupted by idolatry and evil.
Refusing Anti-Torah Orders: One must disobey commands that violate Halacha.
Seven Noahide Laws: Universal ethics for all nations, promoting justice and monotheism.
Torah from Zion: Envisioning global peace through divine law.

Detailed Torah Explanations: Aligning Actions with Divine Will

Preemptive Self-Defense: "הבא להורגך השכם להורגו"

This principle teaches that when an aggressor intends lethal harm, one must act first to neutralize the threat. It is rooted in the Torah's supreme value of preserving life, where self-defense overrides other considerations. Rabbinic wisdom extends this to collective defense, justifying proactive measures against enemies who seek innocent lives. This is not aggression but a sacred duty to protect the innocent.

Halachic Justification for Reciprocal Justice

The verse expresses prophetic vengeance for cruelties, including the harming of infants. Rabbinically, it is not a call for indiscriminate violence but a reflection of reciprocal justice: enemies who target children forfeit mercy. This clarifies why, in defensive wars, collateral harm may be justified if enemies embed among civilians, though Torah demands minimizing it where possible.

Laws of Redeeming Captives: No Embarrassing Deals Releasing Murderers

The mitzvah of redeeming captives is great, but limited. Halacha prohibits paying more than market value to avoid incentivizing future captures. This "tikkun olam" principle protects the broader community. Furthermore, Halacha forbids freeing convicted murderers in such swaps, as it endangers countless other lives.

see our full article on the torah perspective on the latest deal.

Explaining the Prohibition on Excessive Ransom

This principle balances the commandment of mercy with communal safety. Overpaying for captives encourages further raids and endangers the community. This wisdom reflects Torah's holistic view—individual mercy cannot risk the many, preventing cycles of violence and extortion.

Definition of Amalek: "What He Did to You" Leading to Destruction

The commandment to remember and blot out Amalek is directed not at a race, but at an ideology of unprovoked evil and hatred. Amalek symbolizes the ultimate enemy of divine purpose, attacking the weak and cooling faith. The destruction is mandated to eradicate this recurring spirit of evil from the world.

Why Sodom and Gomorrah Were Destroyed

Their sins included profound inhospitality, sexual perversion, systemic cruelty, and injustice. The destruction teaches that a societal inversion of core Torah values—where charity is punished and evil is celebrated—invites divine judgment. This serves as an eternal lesson for corrupt regimes.

Laws of the Idolatrous City

This law mandates the complete destruction of a Jewish city that has become collectively corrupted by idolatry and evil. While its literal application has specific and rare conditions, its educational purpose is profound: it emphasizes the danger of communal moral decay and the absolute priority of upholding a society aligned with Torah truth.

Refusing Orders Against Torah

Just as a child must refuse a parent's command to desecrate the Shabbat, a soldier must disobey any military order that clearly violates Halacha. This principle upholds divine authority over human command, ensuring that a Jew's ultimate allegiance is to God and His Torah.

These teachings illuminate Torah's profound depth, guiding moral conduct in complex times and steering the world toward ultimate peace under the leadership of Moshiach.

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With blessings to all the soldiers of the Army of King Moshiach, and to all the soldiers of the IDF,

May you be strong and courageous in your service, and may you be strengthened in your commitment to Torah and Mitzvot.

May your every action be for the sake of Heaven, and may you create a profound spiritual impact on your friends and family, inspiring them to add in goodness and kindness.

This is especially crucial during active duty, when you are in need of many merits for a complete and successful mission, and for a safe return home in peace.

May Hashem watch over you and protect you.