[Avodah] Who is a Talmid Chacham

[Micha Berger]

On Thu, Jul 05, 2012 at 10:02:35AM +0300, Doron Beckerman wrote:
: Let's get some clarity here. There are a few issues at hand:
: a) Drafting Talmidei Chachamim to the army when not in active war.
: b) Are they miraculously immune to harm in the event of attack.
: c) Talmidei Chachamim fighting in active battle.
...

(a) and (b) aren't entirely separable, which is how (b) came up in
discussion.

No one claimed (b) in the absolute terms you are putting it. Just that
the gemara says their risk of being victims of theft is so much smaller,
they don't need to pay their share toward the police force. Aside from
questions from experience, which is its own can of worms...

If the same is true of war, and I argued it isn't, then one could argue
that a talmid chakham doesn't have the same obligation to contribute to
the country's defense. One doesn't need absolute miraculous safety for
that.

...
: Regarding Talmidei Chachamim during *active war.* Here, Bava Basra 8 is
: inapplicable. But Shevet Levi status is. Makos 10 - "Omdos Hayu Ragleinu"
: is. Assa being punished for Angarya BeTalmidei Chachamim is. Is there value
: in Talmidei Chachamim *during war* learning to provide merit? Does it
: provide protection and help the soldiers? Yes. Are they immune - no. Not
: any more than any soldier is.

And the precedents of Yehoshua, the Shofetim, Shaul, David haMelekh, and
R' Aqiva -- including avos of their respective Batei Din haGadol -- are
also relevent.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             One who kills his inclination is as though he
micha at aishdas.org        brought an offering. But to bring an offering,
http://www.aishdas.org   you must know where to slaughter and what
Fax: (270) 514-1507      parts to offer.        - R' Simcha Zissel Ziv