1)

What exactly, is the Torah coming to permit?

1.

Ramban 1 : It is giving precedence to cutting down a non-fruit bearing tree to a fruit-bearing one.


1

Refer to 20:19:6:2**.

2)

Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) words "Eitz asher Teida"?

1.

Seforno: To teach us that, even a species of fruit-tree, if one knows that, due to old age or damage, it is no longer capable of bearing fruit, one is permitted to cut it down when laying siege.

2.

Bava Kama, 91b: "Eitz asher Teida" is referring to a fruit-tree, and "Ki Lo Eitz Ma'achal Hu", to a non-fruit-bearing tree - to teach us that one is permitted to cut down either of them where necessary.

3)

Having taught us the concession to cut down a fruit-bearing tree in order to lay siege, why does it need to permit also a non-fruit-bearing tree?

1.

Rashbam: In order to permit cutting down species of non fruit-bearing trees even if they grow far from the town that is being besieged 1 - but not fruit-trees.

2.

Bava Kama, 91b: In order to give precedence to cutting down a non-fruit bearing tree over a fruit-tree wherever possible.


1

Refer to 20:19:4:3.

4)

What is the word "Rak" coming to preclude?

1.

Bava Kama, 71b: It precludes there where the non fruit-bearing tree is more valuable than the fruit-tree, in which case it is permitted to cut down the fruit-tree first.

5)

What is the meaning of "Ad Ridtah"?

1.

Rashi: It means until its inhabitants surrender.

2.

Rashbam: It means 'until its walls are brought down'. 1

3.

Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means 'until it is vanquished'.

4.

Moshav Zekenim: It comes to permit [fighting the city] even on Shabbos. 2


1

Rashbam: As in 28:5

2

Shabbos, 19a: If they began the siege three days before Shabbos and it took longer than expected to capture the tow. See Torah Temimah, note 65.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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