I shed no tears over the death of Yahya Sinwar, the architect of Hamas' brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Sinwar's sinister leadership, a designated terrorist organization, has not only resulted in the barbaric murder of over 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 200 Israeli hostages, but has also plunged the Middle East into regional conflict that has left tens of thousands dead. caused a war. Palestinians are innocent pawns in Sinwar's murderous vision.
Shinwar's death is a testament to the enduring courage of the Israel Defense Forces and a just and necessary conclusion to this human embodiment of evil.
Israel now faces a choice. How will we respond to this tectonic shift? Will it use this moment to further its military goal of eradicating Hamas? Or will it use Sinwar's death as an opportunity to secure a cessation of hostilities and obtain the release of the estimated 101 hostages still held captive?
Israel is reportedly preparing to respond to an October 1 ballistic missile attack by Iran, which is believed to be the largest single ballistic missile attack in history. Israeli forces are also fighting to protect Israel's northern border from Hezbollah's continued threat. Given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, there are no doubt some who will see Sinwar's death as an opportunity to increase their military advantage. What better time to end Israel's enemies in Gaza than at the very moment when Hamas is leaderless?
While such arguments may be appealing, Israel would be better off refraining from adding spikes to the proverbial game. According to Jewish law, the principle of “pikuach nefesh” (saving lives) is the north star of all Jewish ethics. This is a principle deeply rooted in the Bible and rabbinic texts, in which the act of saving a life takes precedence over nearly every other commandment in the Torah. For example, a sick person might refrain from fasting on Yom Kippur, or, in the Talmudic example, a person might rescue someone from a collapsed building, even though doing so violates Sabbath law.
Saving lives is a principle that also applies to Israel's current debate regarding hostages. According to medieval rabbinic authority Moses Maimonides, “There is no greater mitzvah.” [commandment] Rather than rescuing prisoners. ” Jews have a collective responsibility for the safe return of hostages. As the old rabbis taught, “He who saves one life is as if he had saved the whole world.”
It is no surprise that Israel has been engaged in a bitter national debate over the past year, given that Jewish sages placed the highest priority on saving lives and rescuing prisoners. On the other hand, Rabbi's sources are clear and all means must be taken to bring the remaining hostages home.
However, as some authorities have argued, hostage release negotiations have both short- and long-term costs. Such deals not only facilitate future hostages, but may also result in further loss of life. Sinwar himself was freed along with more than 1,000 other Palestinian prisoners as part of a 2011 deal to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in 2006. How many lives would have been saved if Israel had not liberated Sinwar?
While such discussions may be important, Sinwar's death provides a moment of clarity, opportunity, and especially diplomacy. Israeli forces alone cannot save the remaining hostages, as evidenced by the killing of six hostages in August, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Having secured the upper hand with Sinwar's murder, Israel should “score a victory,” suspend its military superiority, and use all diplomatic resources at its disposal to negotiate the release of all remaining hostages.
This is a truly 'test of the soul' moment for all people of conscience to call for the release of the hostages, and the freedom of the hostages provides the fastest path to a much-needed ceasefire and 'next day' plan in Gaza. This is what we provide. Now is the time for the entire international community to come together and demand their immediate release. Regardless of one's opinion on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the continued captivity of hostages is an outrageous human rights violation and must end.
The mitzvah of saving a life takes precedence over all else. As a rabbi writing an article during the Jewish fall festival of Sukkot, I deliberately disobeyed one commandment in order to serve another. By doing so, if this appeal helps facilitate the speedy release of the hostages, the violation may well be worth it.
Elliott Cosgrove is the rabbi of Manhattan's Park Avenue Synagogue and the author of a new book “For Times like These: About Being Jewish Today”
