1)

What kind of war is the Torah discussing here?

1.

Rashi and Ramban (both citing the Sifri): It is discussing a Milchemes ha'Reshus (an optional war), 1 but not the conquest of Cana'an or the war against Amalek (as implied by the Lashon "Ki Sikrav" - Sifri). 2


1

See Torah Temimah, note 44 and refer to 20:14:2:1 and 20:10:2:1 & 2 and notes.

2

According to the Ramban, this pertains to where the enemy reject the peace-terms - in Pasuk 14, exclusively, whereas according to Rashi, it pertains to the peace-terms in the current Pasuk as well. Refer to 20:10:2

2)

What are the implications of the words "Lehilachem alehah"?

1.

Sifri: It implies that - initially - the army approaches the town to fight but not to starve its inhabitants of food or drink or to torture them to death them in some other way. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 46.

3)

What is the definition of an Ir?

1.

Sifri: A medium size town - to preclude from the time-span of three days a large city on the one hand and a village on the other. 1


1

Refer to 20:19:2:1 & 2 and see Torah Temimah, note 45.

4)

What are the implication of "Le'hilachem Alehah"?

1.

Sifri: It precludes where one is coming, not to fight, but to starve its inhabitants of food or drink or to torture them to death in some other way , from the obligation to first offer it peace-terms. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 46.

5)

To whom do the peace-terms apply?

1.

Rashi, Rashbam (in Pasuk 16) and Hadar Zekenim: To all but the seven Cana'ani nations (as stated in Pasuk 15 - Rashi. Because in the land of your inheritance, you are not permitted to offer Shalom or leave anyone alive - Rashbam).

2.

Ramban: To all enemies - even the seven nations, 1 as we learn from Moshe, who invited Sichon to make peace, 2 and the difference between Milchemes Mitzvah and a Milchemes ha'Reshus applies only 3 if they decline to accept Yisrael's peace terms. 4


1

Ramban (citing Midrash Rabah, Tanchuma and Yerushalmi, Shevi'is): Indeed, Yehoshua adhered to this command, by sending three letters to all the nations: 'Whoever wants to make peace should come and make peace; whoever wants to move away may do so, and whoever wishes to fight, let him come and fight. The Girgashi fled, the Giv'onim made peace, whereas the thirty-one kings came to fight and Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu destroyed them - as the Pasuk states in Yehoshua, 19:20. See also Ramban DH 've'Da' and 've'ha'Rav R. Moshe', with reference to the Giv'onim.

2

Refer to Bamidbar, 21:22:1:1-2. See Oznayim la'Torah, who, in support of Rashi, explains that Moshe did not offer Sichon the peace-terms mentioned here, only that Yisrael would not attack him if he would allow them to pass through his land - and elaborates.

3

Ramban: Besides the obligation to demand from the Cana'anim that they relinquish Avodah-Zarah, seeing as we are forbidden to live among idolaters - See Sh'mos 23:33, or to force them to do so without prior condition after they have accepted our peace terms.

4

Refer to 20:15:1:1 and to 20:16:1:2.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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