The Torah constantly enjoins us to respect the Almighty's creations of all kinds, and under any circumstances. It is therefore so traumatic and dissonant to have read of the events taking place in the former Yugoslavia. Just fifty-four years have passed since the most tragic epoch in Jewish and world history, and echoes of this terrible event are heard again.
War is a time when all boundaries of civilization, decency and respect for life often break down.
The victor invariably sees himself as having absolute dominion over the conquered, and the sowing of fear, and misery are commonplace. The urge to dominate a foe to the point of complete submission, the destruction of a woman's selfood as a way of relieving one's urges and the stress of battle, are all addressed in a most direct way by the Torah. The woman who is part of a defeated enemy's camp must be treated with dignity and concern. She is not to be taken advantage of in any way. The victorious soldier is told in no uncertain terms that even in his moment of triumph he is to exert self control and discipline.