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Hebrew Text
כִּי־תִקְרַב אֶל־עִיר לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיהָ וְקָרָאתָ אֵלֶיהָ לְשָׁלוֹם׃
English Translation
When thou comest near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it.
Transliteration
Ki-tikrav el-ir lehilachem aleha vekarata eleha leshalom.
Hebrew Leining Text
כִּֽי־תִקְרַ֣ב אֶל־עִ֔יר לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עָלֶ֑יהָ וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֵלֶ֖יהָ לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Sotah 42b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws of warfare, particularly the requirement to offer peace before attacking a city.
📖 Gittin 46a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the ethical conduct in war and the importance of offering peace terms before engaging in battle.
Context in the Torah
The verse (Devarim 20:10) appears in the section discussing the laws of warfare, specifically outlining the proper conduct when approaching an enemy city. This mitzvah applies to a milchemet reshut (optional war), as opposed to a milchemet mitzvah (obligatory war, such as against Amalek or the seven Canaanite nations), where peace overtures are not permitted (Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 6:1).
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that the Torah commands offering terms of peace before besieging a city, even if the eventual terms require the inhabitants to accept tributary status and subjugation. This demonstrates the Torah's value of pursuing peace before resorting to war. Rashi further notes that this mitzvah applies even if it is known in advance that the enemy will refuse the offer, as the process itself is a fulfillment of the Divine command.
Rambam's Halachic Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:1) elaborates on the procedure: The Jewish army must first call the city to peace under the conditions of accepting the Seven Noahide Laws and paying tribute. If they refuse, only then may war be waged. Rambam emphasizes that this process applies even to cities outside of Eretz Yisrael, showing the universal ethical principles in Jewish warfare.
Midrashic Insights
Philosophical Implications
The Kli Yakar highlights that this mitzvah teaches that war should never be the first option. Even when conflict is necessary, every opportunity for peaceful resolution must be exhausted. This principle has been codified as fundamental to Jewish military ethics throughout history.
Contemporary Application
Modern poskim discuss how this principle might apply to modern warfare situations, noting that while the specific halachot of siege warfare may not directly apply, the underlying values of exhausting peaceful options and maintaining ethical conduct in war remain binding (Rav Shaul Yisraeli, Amud HaYemini).