1)

How is Chachmah better than weapons?

1.

Rashi: The Chachmah of Serach - "va'Savo ha'Ishah El Kol ha'Am b'Chachmasah" (Shmuel II, 20:22) helped more than all the weapons they had to fight against Yo'av 1 .

2.

Ibn Ezra: Chachmah does not need weapons. It already said "Tovah Chachmah mi'Gevurah" (16). Chachmah saves its 'owner', and others with it, e.g. people of the small city.

3.

Rashbam: The poor Chacham's Chachmah was better than those who besieged the city.

4.

Rid: Chachmah helps more in war and everything, more than all weapons that will be there.

5.

R. Avigdor: Yakov's Chachmah was better than all Esav's weapons. Yakov armed his household with weapons inside, and garments outside - "va'Yachatz


1

Refer to 9:18:2:1 and the note there.

2)

Why does it say that one sinner destroys much good?

1.

Rashi citing Koheles Rabah: Had [Serach] not killed 1 Sheva ben Bichri, all would have perished due to him.

2.

Torah Temimah citing Kidushin 40b: One should view himself as if his merits and sins weigh equally. If he does one Mitzvah, he is now mostly a Tzadik. If he does one sin, he is mostly evil!

3.

Rashi (from Kidushin 40b): If Yisrael were half Tzadikim and half Resha'im, and a person came and sinned (and made himself a Rasha), he tilted the judgment for everyone to guilt.

4.

Ibn Ezra: This refers to "Moshel ba'Kesilim" (17).

5.

Rashbam: Just like a poor Chacham saved the city with his Chachmah, so one sinner ruins much good. Ri Kara - the coming verse explains how.

6.

Rid: One Choteh (omission) can cause the war to be lost.

7.

R. Avigdor (based on Koheles Rabah): This refers to Esav - "va'Yashav ba'Yom ha'Hu


1

I.e. she convinced the people of her city to kill him; it says "va'Yichresu Es Rosh

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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