Divine Service?

'The history, as well as the structure and function, of Israel's Armed Forces, is characterized by many riddles. Not the least of them is the question of how did the '"people of the Book" turn into a "nation in arms"? This scholarly book sheds light on this and many other paradoxes existing presently in the Israeli military.' Reuven Gal, Founding Chair of The Israeli Association for Civil-Military Studies 'Stuart A. Cohen is Israel's leading student of civil-military relations, and he has long written with great insight, and often provocatively, on the ever-changing place of religion in the army of the Jewish state. This wide-ranging and elegantly-written collection shows how unique Cohen is in bringing together deep knowledge of the Israel Defense Forces, mastery of the Jewish tradition, and sensitivity to the contemporary Israeli scene. A must-read for those concerned about the past, present, and future not only of the IDF, but of Israel.' Ronald R. Krebs, University of Minnesota, USA 'Stuart Cohen, a full professor at Israel's Bar Ilan University, and who recently became the head of the Politics and Governance department at the Academic College of Ashkelon, is not only one of Israel's leading civil-military relations scholars, but perhaps the leading academic authority on halachah scholarship on warfare. He has produced a concise, comprehensive, reader-friendly introduction to the Israeli case study... an authoritative and comprehensive work... Overall, it is a magnum opus, since he manages to summarise decades of work and provide an unrivalled introduction to an important topic.' Defense and Security Analysis 'Thorough in its sources, lucid in its presentation, and balanced in its analysis, this text brings together some of Cohen's most influential publications as well as novel work. ... This responsa literature is Cohen's greatest area of expertise, and he offers a broad survey and a careful evaluation of prominent texts in that literary tradition. ... Divine Service? offers insightful commentary on a broad range of key issues relating to religion and the state in Israel, as well as their legal and political history. Cohen's analysis is careful and nuanced. ... This provocative collection of essays is certain to fascinate students, scholars and policy makers alike.' Middle East Journal 'Divine Service? offers a wealth of information and insights. ... The book offers many astute observations, such as the suggestion that while religion can be "a source of combat motivation and willingness to self-sacrifice," military activity and institutions may also function as "sources for the strengthening of religious identification" (p. 141). Students of the field will find many such keen remarks awaiting their dedicated studies.' The Journal of Israeli History