What are the important Jewish teachings on working for peace?
The Jewish tradition mandates a special obligation to work for peace. The Bible does not command that people merely love peace or merely seek peace but that they actively pursue peace. The rabbis of the Talmud state that there are many commandments that require a certain time and place for their performance, but with regard to peace, “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:15); you are to seek it in your own place and pursue it everywhere else. [8] The famous Talmudic sage, Hillel, stated that we should “be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace.” [9] On the special duty of Jews to work for peace, the sages commented: “Said the Holy one blessed be He: The whole Torah is peace and to whom do I give it? To the nation which loves peace!” [10] The rabbis of the Talmud used lavish words of praise to indicate the significance of peace: Great is peace, for God’s name is peace…. Great is peace, for it encompasses all blessings…. Great is peace, for even in times of war, peac
