Why does the Torah write "Ki Seitzei Machaneh" and not "Ki Seitzei la'Milchamah - al Oyvecha?"
Sifri: To teach us that when going to fight the enemy, one should go in large groups (and not rely on miracles - ha'Torah ve'ha'Mitzvah). .
What sort of "Davar Ra" is the Torah talking about"?
Ramban #1: It is referring (not to physical dangers, but) to taking care not to sin, as armies tend to do - by eating all kinds of abominable food, unashamedly robbing and stealing, raping and committing all kinds of abominable acts. 3
Ramban #2: It is a warning against doing anything that is forbidden in the course of battle.
Ramban #3 (citing the Sifri) 4 and Targum Yonasan: It is a warning against the three cardinal sins, Avodah Zarah, Giluy Arayos and Shefichus Damim. 5
Avodah Zarah, 20b: It is a warning against thinking lewd thoughts by day - to avoid having an emission by night (discussed in the following Pasuk).
Sifri: We learn from "ve'Lo Yir'eh b'cha Ervas Davar" - in Pasuk 15 that the Torah is referring (not to Isurim concerning Tum'os and Taharos or Ma'asros, but) to Isurim concerning Arayos; and the Torah adds the word "mi'Kol Davar Ra", to incorportae Avodah Zarah and Shefichus Damim and all the sins wwhich caused the Cana'anim to be exiled from the land and which cause the Shechinah to depart, whereas "Davar Ra" incorporates the sin of Lashon ha'Ra.
How will we reconciple the current D'rashah - "she'Lo Yeharher ba'Laylah" - with the D'rashah in Shabbos, 150a, which comments on the Pasuk in Yeshayah, 58:13 "Vedaber Davar" - 'Dibur Asur, Hirhur Mutar'?
Oznayim la'Torah: The current D'rashah relies on the Pasuk "Vehayah Machanecha Kadosh", on which it is based.
Perhaps one can also say that regarding Arayos, Chazal have taught that Hirhur is worse than Dibur, and that consequently, since immoral speech is fobidden it would be illogical to permit Hirhur.
Why does the Torah write "Ki Seitzei Machaneh" and not "Ki Seitzei la'Milchamah - al Oyvecha?"
Sifri: To teach us that when going to fight the enemy, one should go in large groups (and not rely on miracles - ha'Torah ve'ha'Mitzvah). .
What are the connotations of "Venishmarta mi'Kol Davar Ra"?
Avodah Azorah, 20b: It is a warning against a. gazing at a beautiful woman, even if she is not married or b. at a marrried woman, even if she is not good-looking, or c. at the colorful clothes of a woman (that he knows) or d. at a pair of donkeys, Chazerim or birds whilst they are mating. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 47.
