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When is someone justified halachicly in revolting against a ruler, even though it would result in Sakonas Nefashos?
For example, we know during Chanuka, there was a decree not to keep Yiddishkeit, so they revolted.
If one is set to die in either case, that may be another justification, such as the Warsaw Ghetto.
What are your thoughts, and please bring sources.
(Thank you Grandmaster/Joseph? for the idea).
Also, it may be a separate question as to if (and if so, when) non-Jews are ever permitted to overthrow their King, under the laws of Bnei Noach (specifically under the “dinim” part of the 7.)
Then we can ask if Oliver Cromwell was so justified in overthrowing.
Tanakh seems to argue that Rechavam ben Shlomo was a rasha — and a disaster as a monarch — but Yeravam ben Navat gets even more criticism.
Last August Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks published an essay in which he cited R. Zvi Hirsch Chajes, *Torat Nevi’im*, as saying that Jewish monarchy is a social contract in the way that Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau would have described it — the people voluntarily give up power to the monarch. Later in the same essay Rabbi Sacks quotes Thomas Jefferson! This is quite something from the Chief Rabbi of the country Jefferson was rebelling against. Rabbi Sacks clearly identifies with Abarbanal’s position that monarchy is not mandated.
Another justification is if you know you will succeed. The Chachamim did not agree to revolt against the Romans only because they said they will not succeed.
There is a Minchas Chinuch that asks why you aren’t allowed to desert the army for Pikuach Nefesh (and why one is obligated to join in the first place). He says that some Mitzvos that inherently require putting oneself in danger cannot be avoided due to Pikuach Nefesh.
A Jewish monarch that was appointed Al Pi Navi would need another Navi to get rid of. I’m trying to think of a source but I am not sure how one would Halachically get rid of a Jewish, let alone non-Jewish, leader that was elected or self-appointed.
Charliehall, are you sure Abarbanel held like that? Even if he did, it is a very shvere opinion that we do not follow. The Gemora is very clear that it is a mitsva to have a king, and the Rambam brings it down.
gavra: It does not. The machlokes of the tanur should tell you that much.
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