Deuteronomy 20:20 - War's ecological limits?

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Hebrew Text

רַק עֵץ אֲשֶׁר־תֵּדַע כִּי־לֹא־עֵץ מַאֲכָל הוּא אֹתוֹ תַשְׁחִית וְכָרָתָּ וּבָנִיתָ מָצוֹר עַל־הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר־הִוא עֹשָׂה עִמְּךָ מִלְחָמָה עַד רִדְתָּהּ׃

English Translation

Only the trees which thou knowst that they be not trees for food, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that makes war with thee, until it be subdued.

Transliteration

Rak etz asher-teida ki-lo-etz ma'akhal hu oto tashchit ve'charata u'vanita matzor al-ha'ir asher-hi osah imcha milchama ad ridtah.

Hebrew Leining Text

רַ֞ק עֵ֣ץ אֲשֶׁר־תֵּדַ֗ע כִּֽי־לֹא־עֵ֤ץ מַאֲכָל֙ ה֔וּא אֹת֥וֹ תַשְׁחִ֖ית וְכָרָ֑תָּ וּבָנִ֣יתָ מָצ֗וֹר עַל־הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁר־הִ֨וא עֹשָׂ֧ה עִמְּךָ֛ מִלְחָמָ֖ה עַ֥ד רִדְתָּֽהּ׃ {פ}

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 20:19-20

This verse appears in the context of the Torah's laws of warfare (מלחמה), specifically regarding the siege of a city. The Torah prohibits the wanton destruction of fruit-bearing trees during wartime, emphasizing ethical conduct even in battle. The broader passage (Devarim 20:19-20) contrasts permissible destruction of non-fruit-bearing trees (for military necessity) with the prohibition against destroying fruit trees.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Devarim 20:19) explains that the phrase "עץ אשר תדע כי לא עץ מאכל הוא" ("a tree which you know is not a food tree") teaches that only trees that are definitively not fruit-bearing may be cut down for siegeworks. He derives from this that one must be certain before acting—highlighting the principle of וְלֹא תַשְׁחִית ("do not destroy") as a broader ethical imperative (based on Devarim 20:19). Rashi also notes that the verse's conclusion—"עד רדתה" ("until it is subdued")—implies the siege must end once the city surrenders, prohibiting unnecessary prolongation of war.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim 6:8), the Rambam codifies this law, ruling that destroying fruit trees during a siege is forbidden unless the tree itself poses a direct threat (e.g., providing cover for enemies). Even then, one must prioritize non-destructive alternatives. The Rambam extends this principle beyond wartime, teaching that bal tashchit (the prohibition against wanton destruction) applies universally to all resources.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

The Talmud (Bava Kama 91b) links this verse to the broader mitzvah of bal tashchit, prohibiting unnecessary destruction of any useful object, even outside wartime.
Midrash Tanchuma (Shofetim 19) compares the destruction of fruit trees to a parable: "One who cuts down a fruitful tree is like one who slaughters his own child"—emphasizing the severity of harming a sustaining resource.
The Sifrei (Devarim 203) interprets the phrase "על העיר אשר היא עושה עמך מלחמה" ("the city that makes war with you") as limiting the permission to destroy trees only when the city is actively hostile, not preemptively.

Ethical and Environmental Implications

Traditional commentators emphasize that this law reflects the Torah's concern for environmental stewardship (שמירת הסביבה) and ethical warfare. The Chatam Sofer (Responsa 6:29) notes that even in war, humanity must recognize its dependence on Hashem's creation, and the Maharal (Gur Aryeh, Devarim 20:19) teaches that preserving fruit trees symbolizes sustaining future generations—a value that transcends military strategy.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 20:20 mean about cutting down trees during war?
A: Deuteronomy 20:20 teaches that during wartime, one may only cut down non-fruit-bearing trees to build siegeworks against an enemy city. Fruit trees must be preserved, as they provide sustenance. This reflects the Torah's value of responsible stewardship of nature, even in times of conflict (Rashi, Rambam Hilchot Melachim 6:8).

Q: Why does the Torah prohibit destroying fruit trees in war?
A: The Torah prohibits destroying fruit trees to teach that warfare must have moral boundaries. The Talmud (Bava Kama 91b) explains this as the principle of 'bal tashchit' - not wantonly destroying anything useful. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:8) emphasizes that this applies even when militarily convenient, showing respect for G-d's creation.

Q: How does the law about not cutting fruit trees apply today?
A: While this verse specifically addresses wartime, the principle extends to peacetime as well. The prohibition against needless destruction ('bal tashchit') applies to all areas of life - we must avoid wasting resources or damaging useful things unnecessarily (Talmud Shabbat 67b, Choshen Mishpat 420). This environmental ethic remains highly relevant today.

Q: What's the significance of building bulwarks in Deuteronomy 20:20?
A: The verse permits building defensive siegeworks (bulwarks) from non-fruit trees when necessary for protection. This shows the Torah's balanced approach - while preserving life is paramount (hence allowing defensive measures), we must still limit collateral damage to the environment (Sifrei Devarim 203, Rambam Hilchot Melachim 6:7-8).