[Avodah] border issues.....pikauch nefesh??

[Zev Sero]

On 31/05/2011 9:38 AM, Hankman wrote:
> R'nLL wrote:
> Defending borders is
> halakhically an issue of self-defense. Expanding borders is kibush
> ha-aretz, but I don't know of any source that says defending border
> towns is anything but an unqualified obligation.


> CM comments:
> I think we might be glossing over a central matter as a practical
> issue in our day. What exactly is the definition of the "border" in
> today's geography and demography.

How is that even a question?  The border is well-marked.  Our soldiers
are on one side and theirs are on the other!


> Is it the kedusha rishona or the
> k. shenia of the olei Bavel, or that of the kivush of the Chashmonaim

What has it got to do with any of those?


> If it is the mere presence of Jews in some particular area then you
> conflate the border issue to the self defense issue

The border issue *is* about self-defense.  There is no border issue
apart from it.


> and also then further entangle the issue of self defense in Chutz
>  La'Aretz becoming a milchemes mitzva if for example the Jews of say
>  BoroPark were under siege as opposed to the Jews of a kibbutz near Gaza.

How is that "entanglement"?  Who ever claimed there was a difference
in this regard between Gaza and Borough Park?  The whole din of "arei
hasfar" is about Nehardea, not EY!

-- 
Zev Sero                      The trouble with socialism is that you
zev at sero.name                 eventually run out of other people’s money
                                                      - Margaret Thatcher