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During a war or large scale military operation what are some of the best things for a person living in chutz l'arertz to do? Is saying tehillim and doing extra chesed enough? Should a person run to Israel and join the effort? Is there a middle ground?

Sourced answers only, please.

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Shouldn't you do whatever you can? – Double AA♦ Nov 16 '12 at 16:35
@DoubleAA does that mean quit my job and join the IDF? Is that a chiyuv? – user1668 Nov 16 '12 at 16:37
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By the time you were trained enough to do anything helpful, the war will probably be over and then we'd have another jobless poor person on our hands. (Not to mention I don't know your age and health.) Do whatever you can that is helpful based on your situation. Everyone is different. – Double AA♦ Nov 16 '12 at 16:43
@DoubleAA I imagine there has to be some da'as torah on this. I'm not saying I have to get a gun and fight but there should be some torahdik response – user1668 Nov 16 '12 at 17:10
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What part of doing lots of mitzvos is not a torahdik response? – Double AA♦ Nov 16 '12 at 18:16
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The worst thing to do is nothing, as it is written in bechukotai: "If you will not hearken to Me, and walk casually with Me; I, too, will act casually with you..." (26:28)

Also, history shows that when there's problems in Israel, there's soon to be problems in chutz l'aretz. Maybe this will help stir a person in chutz l'aretz to examine his ways and repent.

see also http://www.aish.com/h/iid/48951431.html

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How does history show that? – Double AA♦ Nov 18 '12 at 0:47
for example, vietnam war during the arab wars in israel. huricane katrina around time of lebanon war. this last point is debatable, just my opinion – R.S. Nov 24 '12 at 20:46
I think it's more like there are always problems both outside and inside Israel. – Daniel yesterday

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