'Rabbi, is it allowed to hate leftists?'
Rabbi Dov Lior's new book answers questions by Hebron kids who wonder 'should one forgive officers who evacuate an outpost' and 'can one steal firewood from Arabs'
Should one forgive an officer who cleared an outpost? Can one befriend a secular? Is Facebook permissible? These are just some of the questions posed by Hebron kids and addressed in a new book written by Rabbi Dov Lior.
Hebron's rabbi is considered one of the West Bank's greatest arbiters of halacha and a right-wing hardliner.
His new book, "Youth Education" is a compilation of questions and answers based on meetings he had with Hebron children and is divided into 16 topics such as Shabbat and religious holidays, gentiles, and Land of Israel matters.
Segments of the book, which has only been distributed in Hebron so far, were published in the national-religious newspaper Besheva.
Here are some examples of the issues Rabbi Lior tackles in his book.
Can one be friends with a non-observant youth?
"During the age of puberty it is feared one would become influenced by a non-observant person instead of influencing them, and that is why you shouldn't socialize with such a person."
Can one forgive security forces for a violent evacuation?
"Unlike personal matters in which it is advisable to forgive anyone who has sinned and is seeking forgiveness, this concerns guidelines and policies of the defense establishment which advocates excessive violence towards settlers and should not be tolerated."
Is it allowed to hate officers and leftists?
"There is virtue to be found with soldiers and officers…but one cannot judge favorably leftists who out of shear wickedness support the Arabs."
Can one take firewood for a (Lag B'Omer) bonfire from Arabs?
"No. This would involve doing a mitzvah by committing an offence. The end does not justify the means."
Can one keep a dog as a pet?
"Toying with an impure animal is bad and inappropriate."
