The first World War in the history of mankind was the War of the Four Kings Against the Five, during the days of Amraphel, a.k.a. Nimrod (see Rashi on Genesis 14:1). At that time, Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goyim - all of them wicked (Rashi) - waged war against Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinav, king of Admah, Shemever, king of Tzevoyim, and the king of Bela, now Tzoar - all of them wicked as well.
The results of that war, as we know, were that the four kings, led by Chedorlaomer, vanquished the five, led by Bera, king of wicked Sodom. Yet, when Abraham heard that his nephew Lot had been taken captive, he pursued Chedorlaomer and the kings who had taken Lot captive, fought them and smote them, freeing Lot and his property.
As stated, Abraham's motivation for going to war was the fact that his nephew Lot had been taken captive, even though Lot, by his behavior, had displeased Abraham and Abraham had suggested that they part ways, which they did (Genesis 13:11). Lot had then gone to live in Sodom, a city of wicked, sinful inhabitants (13:13).
All the same, Abraham, feeling paternal responsibility for his orphaned nephew, could not be complacent about Lot's being taken captive. He therefore fought and saved him from the captivity. Abraham's victory over Chedorlaomer and the kings with him brought the entire world to such great admiration and respect for Abraham that they all joined together and asked him to be their leader (see Rashi on 14:17).
World wars have never ceased from that first one until now. In recent generations, we have experienced two world wars, wars that preceded Israel's rebirth in their land. As is well-known, in the First World War, the nations confirmed our right to Biblical Eretz Yisrael, and after the Second World War, we were privileged, with Divine assistance, to establish the State of Israel.
In our own day, as well, we live under the shadow and threat of a Third World War. It would be between those nations President George Bush called the "Axis of Evil," and their supporters, and the "Free World" - with the State of Israel being the main and immediate object of destruction by those heading the Axis of Evil.
Today, as well, we went forth to war because of our sons who fell captive. Unfortunately, however, we did not achieve our goal of freeing them. Had we succeeded as Abraham did with Lot, the esteem in which the nations hold us would have risen, as it did for Abraham. Yet, we have not lost hope that our sons will speedily return from captivity.
The goal of the kidnappers was to humiliate the Jewish people and the Israeli army. Their act was part of a comprehensive campaign, whose purpose, as stated, was the destruction of the State of Israel - it will never be. We must muster our resolve to follow in the path of Abraham, for our ancestors' deeds presage our own, and we must wage all-out war against our enemies. Only by such means will Israel's stature be raised up in the world and our sons return home. Then, through us will be fulfilled, "I will be magnified and sanctified, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the L-rd." (Ezekiel 38:23)
The results of that war, as we know, were that the four kings, led by Chedorlaomer, vanquished the five, led by Bera, king of wicked Sodom. Yet, when Abraham heard that his nephew Lot had been taken captive, he pursued Chedorlaomer and the kings who had taken Lot captive, fought them and smote them, freeing Lot and his property.
As stated, Abraham's motivation for going to war was the fact that his nephew Lot had been taken captive, even though Lot, by his behavior, had displeased Abraham and Abraham had suggested that they part ways, which they did (Genesis 13:11). Lot had then gone to live in Sodom, a city of wicked, sinful inhabitants (13:13).
All the same, Abraham, feeling paternal responsibility for his orphaned nephew, could not be complacent about Lot's being taken captive. He therefore fought and saved him from the captivity. Abraham's victory over Chedorlaomer and the kings with him brought the entire world to such great admiration and respect for Abraham that they all joined together and asked him to be their leader (see Rashi on 14:17).
World wars have never ceased from that first one until now. In recent generations, we have experienced two world wars, wars that preceded Israel's rebirth in their land. As is well-known, in the First World War, the nations confirmed our right to Biblical Eretz Yisrael, and after the Second World War, we were privileged, with Divine assistance, to establish the State of Israel.
In our own day, as well, we live under the shadow and threat of a Third World War. It would be between those nations President George Bush called the "Axis of Evil," and their supporters, and the "Free World" - with the State of Israel being the main and immediate object of destruction by those heading the Axis of Evil.
Today, as well, we went forth to war because of our sons who fell captive. Unfortunately, however, we did not achieve our goal of freeing them. Had we succeeded as Abraham did with Lot, the esteem in which the nations hold us would have risen, as it did for Abraham. Yet, we have not lost hope that our sons will speedily return from captivity.
The goal of the kidnappers was to humiliate the Jewish people and the Israeli army. Their act was part of a comprehensive campaign, whose purpose, as stated, was the destruction of the State of Israel - it will never be. We must muster our resolve to follow in the path of Abraham, for our ancestors' deeds presage our own, and we must wage all-out war against our enemies. Only by such means will Israel's stature be raised up in the world and our sons return home. Then, through us will be fulfilled, "I will be magnified and sanctified, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the L-rd." (Ezekiel 38:23)