Pisqa’ 204³⁴⁴

1. “Only, the tree which you know to have been useless” (Dt. 20:20)— a fruit-bearing tree [that no longer bears fruit].

footnotes: ³⁴⁴ H:220; JN2:97.

“Useless for food” (Dt. 20:20)— this refers to a barren tree [that has never borne fruit]. If we are ultimately going to include under the rule a fruit-bearing tree [that no longer bears fruit], what, then, does the Teaching mean by: “The tree . . . useless for food”? (Dt. 20:20) This teaches that [where two trees impede the siege], the destruction of the barren tree precedes that of the fruit-bearing tree. Is it possible to say that if the barren tree’s [wood] is more valuable [than the fruit tree’s fruit, it should be spared]— in accord with the view of R. Elazar b. R. Shimon? The Teaching states: “That one you may destroy and chop down” (Dt. 20:20)—

using the wood for storage-bins or construction.

“And you may construct siege-works against the city” (Dt. 20:20)— by deploying against it various kinds of catapults,

and by bringing against it any sort of missile.

“Until it falls” (Dt. 20:20)— even on the Sabbath.