Trump says yes. He feels that otherwise, Iran would acquire a nuclear weapon and use it to threaten the world.

Others, including some religious leaders, say no — because war only causes suffering, and does not lead to peace.

Let’s ask a basic question. Isn’t it important to be kind? And isn’t war the opposite of kindness?

Perhaps we can derive insight from Lekutei Torah (Chassidic discourses of the first Lubavitcher Rebbe – the Alter Rebbe) on this week’s Torah portion (recited in the synagogue) — Tazria Metzora.

The Alter Rebbe explores the emotional attributes of kindness and severity. He explains that they can be intertwined with each other. And sometimes severity can be beneficial, and kindness can be detrimental.

For example: If a parent gives a child too much food, then it is “kindness of severity.” Giving is kindness. But when giving too much food is unhealthy, then it’s a detrimental kindness — a kindness rooted in (or dominated by) severity.

I other words, the emotional attribute of kindness is causing severity.

And the other way around: If a parent disciplines a child who, for example, runs into the street, then it’s “severity of kindness.” The disciplining is coming from the emotional attribute of severity, but the severity is rooted in kindness, the severity is for the child’s benefit and future safety.

Now let’s examine war. War itself is severity. But if the war is being waged in order to benefit society, by eradicating evil and terrorism, then the war is “severity of kindness.”

And the opposite: If not waging war would allow Iran’s regime (who express clearly their evil designs towards Israel and the US) to obtain a nuclear weapon, then not waging war would be “kindness of severity.” The kindness (not fighting) leads to severity.

Chassidus illuminates our understanding of basic human emotions, and the way they interact.

So when people protest that the US and Israel should be kind and stop the war, we can answer them: Not waging war is kindness, but it’s a kindness that leads to severity — to a clear and present danger to the entire world.

We need to keep our priorities straight. We need to know when to be kind, and when to show severity.

We need to know, that sometimes severity (waging war against evil) is a “severity of kindness.”

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)