Story:
IDF Chief Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Yisrael Weiss has issued a halakhic [Jewish legal] ruling regarding the criteria for an exchange of prisoners. The ruling, originally issued two weeks ago, states that terrorists who are liable to attempt murderous attacks may not be released.
The ruling comes as Israeli officials meet with representatives of the Hizbullah terrorist organization to negotiate the return of the kidnapped Israeli civilian Elchanan Tenenbaum and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers. In addition, public pressure is being exerted in Israel to demand information on the fate of missing Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad.
Chief Rabbi Weiss wrote that despite the supreme importance of the concept of Redeeming Captives, the future danger to Jewish life takes precedence. "The release of terrorists is permitted only if in return we receive something very significant, such as a promise for a total ceasefire," he wrote. In addition, the rabbi added, "we may not give live terrorists in exchange for bodies," but should rather exchange bodies for bodies, as was done in the past.
IDF Chief Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Yisrael Weiss has issued a halakhic [Jewish legal] ruling regarding the criteria for an exchange of prisoners. The ruling, originally issued two weeks ago, states that terrorists who are liable to attempt murderous attacks may not be released.
The ruling comes as Israeli officials meet with representatives of the Hizbullah terrorist organization to negotiate the return of the kidnapped Israeli civilian Elchanan Tenenbaum and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers. In addition, public pressure is being exerted in Israel to demand information on the fate of missing Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad.
Chief Rabbi Weiss wrote that despite the supreme importance of the concept of Redeeming Captives, the future danger to Jewish life takes precedence. "The release of terrorists is permitted only if in return we receive something very significant, such as a promise for a total ceasefire," he wrote. In addition, the rabbi added, "we may not give live terrorists in exchange for bodies," but should rather exchange bodies for bodies, as was done in the past.