Pisqa’ 193300H:214:JN2:81. 1. “But HASHEM your God is marching with you” (Dt.20:4). The One who was with you in the wasteland is the very One who will be with you in times of trouble. And so He says: “HASHEM will do battle on your behalf, so you must be silent” (Ex.14:14).
“To do battle with your enemies on your behalf, to deliver you” (Dt.20:4)— [from human enemies, but also] from poisonous snakes, scorpions, and evil spirits.
“And the officers shall speak” (Dt.20:5)— till this point, the speaker is the Priest Anointed for War. From this point and on, “And the officers shall continue speaking” (Dt.20:8).
“Who is the man. . .who has betrothed a woman” (Dt.20:7)? Even if he betrothed a widow; even if she is awaiting the levir’s decision [to either marry or release her]; even if the levir heard that his [childless] brother was killed in battle [thus releasing her to marry anyone]— all these may return from war.301Cf. Pisqa’ 196.1 for a more complete annotation of the levir and the woman awaiting his decision.
“He shall go and return to his home” (Dt.20:7)— all heed the words of the Warrior Priest and return home, where they supply their brothers with water and food, and help pave the roads.302// M. Sotah 8:2. The smaller type represents material unevenly attested in mss and early editions. F:234, n.3.
2. “And the officers shall continue speaking” (Dt.20:8). Is it possible to say that the officers used other words? When He states: “And the officers shall continue speaking to the people” (Dt.20:8), this teaches that these are their very words. So, what does the Teaching add by “And the officers shall speak” (Dt.20:5)? When the officer begins his charge, then the Priest explains the exemptions to them.
(דברים כ ד) כִּי ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם, מִי שֶׁהָיָה עִמָּכֶם בַּמִּדְבָּר – הוּא יִהְיֶה עִמָּכֶם בְּעֵת צָרָה, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (שמות יד יד): ״ה׳ יִלָּחֵם לָכֶם וְאַתֶּם תַּחֲרִישׁוּן״.
Pisqa’ 193300H:214:JN2:81.
1. “But HASHEM your God is marching with you” (Dt.20:4).
The One who was with you in the wasteland
is the very One who will be with you
in times of trouble.
And so He says:
“HASHEM will do battle on your behalf, so you must be silent” (Ex.14:14).
לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם עִם אוֹיְבֵיכֶם לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם – מִשְּׂרָפִים וְעַקְרַבִּים וְרוּחוֹת הָרָעִים.
“To do battle with your enemies on your behalf, to deliver you” (Dt.20:4)—
[from human enemies, but also]
from poisonous snakes,
scorpions, and evil spirits.
[(דברים כ ה) וְדִבְּרוּ הַשּׁוֹטְרִים], עַד כָּאן מְשׁוּחַ מִלְחָמָה מְדַבֵּר. מִכָּן אֵילָךְ – וְדִבְּרוּ הַשּׁוֹטְרִים.
“And the officers shall speak” (Dt.20:5)—
till this point, the speaker is the Priest Anointed for War.
From this point and on,
“And the officers shall continue speaking” (Dt.20:8).
[(דברים כ ז) אֲשֶׁר נָשָׂא אִשָּׁה –] אֲפִלּוּ אַלְמָנָה, אֲפִלּוּ שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם, אֲפִלּוּ שָׁמַע שֶׁמֵּת לוֹ אָחִיו בַּמִּלְחָמָה – חוֹזֵר.
“Who is the man. . .who has betrothed a woman” (Dt.20:7)?
Even if he betrothed a widow;
even if she is awaiting the levir’s decision
[to either marry or release her];
even if the levir heard
that his [childless] brother
was killed in battle
[thus releasing her to marry anyone]—
all these may return from war.301Cf. Pisqa’ 196.1 for a more complete annotation of the levir and the woman awaiting his decision.
[יֵלֵךְ וְיָשֹׁב לְבֵיתוֹ,] הַכֹּל שׁוֹמְעִים דִּבְרֵי כֹהֵן מֵעֶרְכֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה וְהֵם חוֹזְרִים, וּמְסַפְּקִים מַיִם וּמָזוֹן לַאֲחֵיהֶם, וּמְתַקְּנִים אֶת הַדְּרָכִים.
“He shall go and return to his home” (Dt.20:7)—
all heed the words of the Warrior Priest and return home,
where they supply their brothers
with water and food,
and help pave the roads. 302// M. Sotah 8:2. The smaller type represents material unevenly attested in mss and early editions. F:234, n.3.
וְדִבְּרוּ הַשּׁוֹטְרִים, יָכוֹל דְּבָרִים אֲחֵרִים? כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר (דברים כ ח) ״וְיָסְפוּ הַשּׁוֹטְרִים לְדַבֵּר אֶל הָעָם״ מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֵם הַדְּבָרִים. וּמַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר וְדִבְּרוּ הַשּׁוֹטְרִים? כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִתְחִיל שׁוֹטֵר לְדַבֵּר – כֹּהֵן מַשְׁמִיעַ לָהֶם כַּתְּנָאִים הַלָּלוּ.
2. “And the officers shall continue speaking” (Dt.20:8).
Is it possible to say that
the officers used other words?
When He states:
“And the officers shall continue speaking to the people” (Dt.20:8),
this teaches that these are their very words.
So, what does the Teaching add by
“And the officers shall speak” (Dt.20:5)?
When the officer begins his charge,
then the Priest explains the exemptions to them.