Saturday, May 31, 2003

Carrying Firearms On Shabbat

This article relates that Rabbi Shlomo Goren, the first Chief Rabbi of the Army, and later the Chief Rabbi of Israel wrote:

...that a firearm is something that is needed for Shabbat observance, because it is intended for security, enabling a Jew to celebrate the Shabbat in peace. Even though shooting a gun is a form of igniting fire, something normally prohibited on Shabbat, in situations where life is imperiled, shooting a gun is a mitzvah.

Rabbi Yehoshua Neurvert has a slightly different but supportive opinion.
What Rabbi Yehoshua Neurvert writes in his treatise on Shabbat, "Shmirat Shabbat K’Hilchatah," differs somewhat in his understanding, stating that a firearm is indeed categorized as “muktzah” since firing (ignited fire) is prohibited on Shabbat. Nonetheless, he rules that carrying a firearm on Shabbat is allowed since it has a definite value as a deterrent - discouraging enemies from attacking Jews on Shabbat. Therefore, it is needed for the observance of Shabbat. Furthermore, since carrying a firearm is a deterrent, there is no need for immediate danger in order to carry one. When the enemies of the Jews know that we are ready to defend ourselves, mobs are less likely to rise up against us.

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