Pisqa’ 193³⁰⁰

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.

“HASHEM will do battle on your behalf, so you must be silent” (Ex. 14:14).

footnotes: ³⁰⁰ H:214:JN2:81.

“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.**³⁰¹ 196.1 for a more complete annotation of the levir and the woman awaiting his decision.

footnotes: ³⁰¹ Cf. Pisqa’

“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

footnotes: 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.