"There are exemplars, such as King David, held up as warrior role models."
No.
The God of Israel [the God of the O.T.] disallowed David, to build a Holy national temple, to the name of the God of Israel,
"because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight."1 Chronicles 22:7
And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:
8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
1 Chronicles 28:3
But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
Karnal wrote on Jun 16
th, 2017 at 9:56pm:
4. The Torah, the foundational text of the Jews,
incites wholesale violence, slaughter, torture and barbarity.
THAT IS A LIE - No it doesn't
Everybody knows this.
No they don't. Only an ignorant, unread person, who had not studied those texts could be deceived into believing that.
Getting "Old Testament" on someone means to overcome someone through hardship and torture.
No it doesn't
There are specific instructions in the Old Testament on which behaviours deserve execution and the mode of execution.
True - But these punishments relate to covenant breaking [which was very, very serious, because it related to promises which were made to their God], and criminal behaviour.
There is specific encouragement to go out and kill other tribes and seize their land, women and livestock.
God called upon his people to cleanse the land of Israel, by killing a very specific set of peoples who inhabited the land of Israel. And the Israelites were to [one time] kill everything that drew breath. Deuteronomy 20:16-18
There are exemplars, such as King David,
held up as warrior role models.
THAT IS A LIE - God actually rebuked David, firstly as an adulterer and a murderer, and later, said that as a 'bloody man' he, David, was unfit for a Holy task.
And finally, the Jews are exhempt from any universal justice in this regard because they're (a) following G_d's orders and (b) they're G_d's chosen people.
THAT IS A LIE - The Israelites were to be an example to other peoples and nations, and were to be a Holy and righteous people. Deuteronomy 4:5-8 In the O.T. texts, the God of Israel, specifically called upon his people to be righteous and Holy.
Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:....
Leviticus 19:2
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
Leviticus 20:26
And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
Deuteronomy 4:5
Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Exodus 25:8
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
The people, were to be the 'sanctuary', of their God!
Exodus 29:45
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you....