Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the Torah lays down several crucial halachos that govern both the social fabric of Eretz Yisrael and the conduct of the nation during times of war. We begin with the prohibition of hassagas gevul, moving a neighbor's boundary marker, and then transition into the fundamental halachos of testimony, establishing that a single witness cannot convict someone and introducing the severe din of eidim zomemin, conspiring witnesses who must receive the exact punishment they schemed to inflict on their fellow Yid.

From there, the Torah turns its attention to the battlefield, preparing the nation for war against their enemies. Hashem reassures us not to fear the enemy's superior numbers, and the Torah introduces the Kohen Mashuach Milchama, the priest anointed for war, who addresses the troops with words of chizuk and emunah before the battle begins.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

לֹאYou shall notתַסִּיגmove backגְּבוּלthe boundary ofרֵעֲךָyour neighborאֲשֶׁרwhichגָּבְלוּthey boundedרִאשֹׁנִיםthe first generationsבְּנַחֲלָתְךָin your inheritanceאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּנְחַלyou shall inheritבָּאָרֶץin the landאֲשֶׁרthatיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godנֹתֵןis givingלְךָto youלְרִשְׁתָּהּ׃to possess it

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתסיגmove backגבול.the boundary ofלְשׁוֹןan expression of"נָסֹגוּthey turnedאָחוֹר"backwardישעיהוYeshayahuמ"ב42,שֶׁמַּחֲזִירthat he movesסִימַןthe marker ofחֲלֻקַּתthe division ofהַקַּרְקַעthe landלְאָחוֹרbackwardלְתוֹךְintoשְׂדֵהthe field ofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowלְמַעַןin order toהַרְחִיבenlargeאֶת—שֶׁלּוֹ;his ownוַהֲלֹאbut is it notכְבָרalreadyנֶאֱמַרstated"לֹאyou shall notתִגְזֹל"robויקראVayikraי"ט19,מַהwhatתַּלְמוּדdoes the teachingלוֹמַרsayלֹאyou shall notתַסִּיג?move backלִמֵּדit teachesעַלconcerningהָעוֹקֵרone who uprootsתְּחוּםthe boundary ofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowשֶׁעוֹבֵרthat he transgressesבִּשְׁנֵיtwoלָאוִין.negative commandmentsיָכוֹלone might thinkאַףevenבְּחוּץoutsideלָאָרֶץ?the Landתַּ"לֹthe Torah teachesבנחלתךin your inheritanceאשרwhichתנחלyou shall inheritוגו'etc,בְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelעוֹבֵרhe transgressesבִּשְׁנֵיtwoלָאוִין,negative commandmentsוּבְחוּצָהand outsideלָאָרֶץthe Landאֵינוֹhe does notעוֹבֵרtransgressאֶלָּאexceptמִשּׁוּםbecause ofלֹאyou shall notתִגְזֹלrobספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

לֹאnotיָקוּםshall ariseעֵדwitnessאֶחָדsingleבְּאִישׁagainst a manלְכָלfor anyעָוֺןiniquityוּלְכָלor for anyחַטָּאתsinבְּכָלin anyחֵטְאoffenseאֲשֶׁרthatיֶחֱטָאhe may commitעַלbyפִּיthe mouth ofשְׁנֵיtwoעֵדִיםwitnessesאוֹorעַלbyפִּיthe mouth ofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeעֵדִיםwitnessesיָקוּםshall be establishedדָּבָר׃a matter

רַשִׁ״י

עדwitnessאחד.oneזֶהthisבָנָהbuiltאָבa prototype–כָּלeveryעֵדwitnessשֶׁבַּתּוֹרָהthat is in the Torahשְׁנַיִםis twoאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·פֵּרֵטspecifiedלְךָto youבוֹin itאֶחָדoneסנהדריןSanhedrinל'page 30:

רַשִׁ״י

לכלFor anyעוןiniquityולכלor for anyחטאת.sinלִהְיוֹתto causeחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowנֶעֱנָשׁpunishedעַלuponעֵדוּתוֹ,his testimonyלֹאneitherעֹנֶשׁpunishment ofגּוּףbodyוְלֹאnorעֹנֶשׁpunishment ofמָמוֹן,moneyאֲבָלbutקָםhe risesהוּאheלִשְׁבוּעָה;for an oathאָמַרIf he saidלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowתֵּןgiveלִיto meמָנֶהa manehשֶׁהִלְוִיתִיךָ,that I lent youאָמַרand he saidלוֹto himאֵיןthere is notלְךָto youבְיָדִיin my handכְּלוּםanythingוְעֵדand witnessאֶחָדoneמְעִידוֹtestifies against himשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isלוֹ,to himחַיָּבhe is obligatedלִשָּׁבַעto swearלוֹto himשבועותShevuotמ'40a:

רַשִׁ״י

עלByפיthe mouth ofשניtwoעדים.witnessesוְלֹאand notשֶׁיִּכְתְּבוּthat they writeעֵדוּתָםtheir testimonyבְּאִגֶּרֶתin a letterוְיִשְׁלְחוּand send itלְבֵיתto the house ofדִּין,judgmentוְלֹאand notשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדthat there standתֻּרְגְּמָןan interpreterבֵּיןbetweenהָעֵדִיםthe witnessesוּבֵיןand betweenהַדַּיָּנִיםthe judgesספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

כִּיWhenיָקוּםthere arisesעֵדa witnessחָמָסof violenceבְּאִישׁagainst a manלַעֲנוֹתto testifyבּוֹagainst himסָרָה׃a falsehood

רַשִׁ״י

לענותto testifyבוagainst himסרה.perversionדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאֵינוֹ,that is notשֶׁהוּסַרthat is removedהָעֵדthe witnessהַזֶּהthisמִכָּלfrom all ofהָעֵדוּתthe testimonyהַזֹּאת.thisכֵּיצַד?how soשֶׁאָמְרוּthat they saidלָהֶםto themוַהֲלֹאbut beholdעִמָּנוּwith usהֱיִיתֶםyou wereאוֹתוֹthatהַיּוֹםdayבְּמָקוֹםin a placeפְּלוֹנִיso-and-soמכותMakkotה'5a:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וְעָמְדוּand shall standשְׁנֵיthe two ofהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menאֲשֶׁרwhoלָהֶםto them isהָרִיבthe disputeלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemלִפְנֵיbeforeהַכֹּהֲנִיםthe Kohanimוְהַשֹּׁפְטִיםand the judgesאֲשֶׁרwhoיִהְיוּwill beבַּיָּמִיםin the daysהָהֵם׃those

רַשִׁ״י

ועמדוAnd shall standשניthe two ofהאנשים.the menבְּעֵדִיםconcerning witnessesהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureמְדַבֵּרspeaksוְלִמֵּדand it teachesשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noעֵדוּתtestimonyבְּנָשִׁים,by womenוְלִמֵּדand it teachesשֶׁצְּרִיכִיןthat they mustלְהָעִידtestifyעֵדוּתָןtheir testimonyמֵעוֹמֵדwhile standingשבועותShevuosל'30:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhomלהםto themהריב.the strifeאֵלּוּtheseבַעֲלֵיthe litigants ofהַדִּין:the judgment

רַשִׁ״י

לפניBeforeה'.Hashemיִהְיֶהit shall beדּוֹמֶהsimilarלָהֶםto themכְּאִלּוּas ifעוֹמְדִיןthey are standingלִפְנֵיbeforeהַמָּקוֹם,the Omnipresentשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidתהיליםTehillimפ"ב82בְּקֶרֶבin the midst ofאֱלֹהִיםjudgesיִשְׁפֹּטHe judgesסנהדריןSanhedrinו'6:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhoיהיוshall beבימיםin the daysההם.thoseיִפְתָּחYiftachבְּדוֹרוֹin his generationכִּשְׁמוּאֵלis like Shmuelבְּדוֹרוֹ,in his generationצָרִיךְmustאַתָּהyouלִנְהֹגto treatבּוֹhim withכָּבוֹד:respect

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְדָרְשׁוּand shall inquireהַשֹּׁפְטִיםthe judgesהֵיטֵבthoroughlyוְהִנֵּהand beholdעֵדa witnessשֶׁקֶרof falsehoodהָעֵדthe witnessשֶׁקֶרfalsehoodעָנָהhe testifiedבְאָחִיו׃against his brother

רַשִׁ״י

ודרשוAnd shall inquireהשפטיםthe judgesהיטב.diligentlyעַלaccording toפִּיthe mouth ofהַמְזִמִּיןthose who exposeאוֹתָם,themשֶׁבּוֹדְקִיםthat they examineוְחוֹקְרִיםand they investigateאֶת—הַבָּאִיםthose who comeלַהֲזִימָםto expose themבִּדְרִישָׁהwith inquiryוַחֲקִירָה:and investigation

רַשִׁ״י

והנהand beholdעדa witnessשקרfalseהעד.is the witnessכָּלeveryמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidעֵדwitness—בִּשְׁנַיִםof twoהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureמְדַבֵּר:speaks

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַעֲשִׂיתֶםand you shall doלוֹto himכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asזָמַםhe schemedלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלְאָחִיוto his brotherוּבִעַרְתָּand you shall sweep outהָרָעthe evilמִקִּרְבֶּךָ׃from your midst

רַשִׁ״י

כאשרAsזמם.he conspiredוְלֹאand notכַאֲשֶׁרasעָשָׂה,he didמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּthey saidהָרְגוּif they killedאֵיןthey are notנֶהֱרָגִיןput to deathמכותMakkosה'5b:

רַשִׁ״י

לעשותto doלאחיו.to his brotherמַהwhatתַּלְמוּדdoes the teachingלוֹמַרsayלאחיוto his brother?לִמֵּדit teachesעַלconcerningזוֹמְמֵיthe plotting witnesses ofבַתa daughter ofכֹּהֵןa priestנְשׂוּאָהwho is marriedשֶׁאֵינָןthat they are notבִּשְׂרֵפָהpunished with burningאֶלָּאbut ratherכְּמִיתַתlike the death ofהַבּוֹעֵלthe paramourשֶׁהִיאwhich isבְחֶנֶק,by strangulationשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraכ"א21"הִיאsheבָאֵשׁwith fireתִּשָּׂרֵף"shall be burnt–הִיאsheוְלֹאbut notבוֹעֲלָהּ,her paramourלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is saidכָּאןhereלאחיוto his brother,כַּאֲשֶׁרasזָמַםhe schemedלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלְאָחִיו,to his brotherוְלֹאand notכַּאֲשֶׁרasזָמַםhe schemedלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלַאֲחוֹתוֹ,to his sisterאֲבָלbutבְּכָלin allשְׁאָרotherמִיתוֹתdeath penaltiesהִשְׁוָהequatedהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureאִשָּׁהa womanלְאִישׁto a manוְזוֹמְמֵיand the plotting witnesses ofאִשָּׁהa womanנֶהֱרָגִיןare executedכְּזוֹמְמֵיlike the plotting witnesses ofאִישׁ,a manכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁהֱעִידוּהָthat they testified against herשֶׁהָרְגָהthat she killedאֶת—הַנֶּפֶשׁ,a personשֶׁחִלְּלָהor that she desecratedאֶת—הַשַּׁבָּת,the Shabbosנֶהֱרָגִיןthey are executedבְּמִיתָתָהּ,with her death penaltyשֶׁלֹּאfor did notמִעֵטexcludeכָּאןhereאֲחוֹתוֹhis sisterאֶלָּאonlyבְמָקוֹםin a caseשֶׁיֵּשׁwhere there isלְקַיֵּםto fulfillבָּהֶןupon themהֲזַמָּהthe law of plottingכְּמִיתַתlike the death ofהַבּוֹעֵלthe paramourספרי;SifreiסנהדריןSanhedrinצ'90:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִיםand those who remainיִשְׁמְעוּshall hearוְיִרָאוּand they shall fearוְלֹאand notיֹסִפוּwill they continueלַעֲשׂוֹתto doעוֹדagainכַּדָּבָרlike matterהָרָעthe evilהַזֶּהthisבְּקִרְבֶּךָ׃in your midst

רַשִׁ״י

ישמעוshall hearויראו.and fearמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁצְּרִיכִיןthat they requireהַכְרָזָהannouncement–אִישׁmanפְּלוֹנִיso-and-soוּפְלוֹנִיand so-and-soנֶהֱרָגִיןare executedעַלbecauseשֶׁהוּזַמּוּthey were plottedבְּבֵיתin the house ofדִּיןlawסנהדריןSanhedrinפ"טpage 89:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְלֹאAnd notתָחוֹסshall pityעֵינֶךָyour eyeנֶפֶשׁlifeבְּנֶפֶשׁfor lifeעַיִןeyeבְּעַיִןfor eyeשֵׁןtoothבְּשֵׁןfor toothיָדhandבְּיָדfor handרֶגֶלfootבְּרָגֶל׃for foot

רַשִׁ״י

עיןAn eyeבעין.for an eyeמָמוֹן,monetary compensationוְכֵןand soשֵׁןa toothבְּשֵׁןfor a toothוְגוֹ'etceteraספרי;SifreiבבאBavaקמאKammaפ"דpage 84:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

כִּיWhenתֵצֵאyou go outלַמִּלְחָמָהto the warעַלagainstאֹיְבֶיךָyour enemiesוְרָאִיתָand you seeסוּסhorseוָרֶכֶבand chariotעַםa peopleרַבmore numerousמִמְּךָthan youלֹאdo notתִירָאfearמֵהֶםof themכִּיforיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godעִמָּךְis with youהַמַּעַלְךָWho brought you upמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofמִצְרָיִם׃Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

כיWhenתצאyou go outלמלחמה.to warסָמַךְjuxtaposedהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureיְצִיאַתthe going out ofמִלְחָמָהwarלְכָאן,to hereלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noמְחֻסַּרone lackingאֵבֶרa limbיוֹצֵאwho goes outלַמִּלְחָמָהto the warעי'seeספריSifrei;דָּבָרexplanationאַחֵר,anotherלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youאִםifעָשִׂיתָyou have doneמִשְׁפַּטjudgment ofצֶדֶק,justiceאַתָּהyouמֻבְטָחare assuredשֶׁאִםthat ifתֵּצֵאyou go outלַמִּלְחָמָהto the warאַתָּהyouנוֹצֵחַ,will be victoriousוְכֵןand soדָוִדDovidהוּאheאוֹמֵרsaysתהיליםTehillimקי"ט119עָשִׂיתִיI have doneמִשְׁפָּטjudgmentוָצֶדֶקand justiceבַּלdo notתַּנִּיחֵנִיleave meלְעוֹשְׁקָיto my oppressorsתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

עלAgainstאיבך.your enemiesיִהְיוּthey shall beבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesכְּאוֹיְבִים,as enemiesאַלdo notתְּרַחֵםhave pityעֲלֵיהֶםupon themכִּיforלֹאnotיְרַחֲמוּwill they pityעָלֶיךָ:upon you

רַשִׁ״י

סוסHorseורכב.and chariotבְּעֵינַיin My eyesכֻּלָּםall of themכְּסוּסare like a horseאֶחָד,oneוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysשופטיםShoftimו'6וְהִכִּיתָand you shall smiteאֶת—מִדְיָןMidianכְּאִישׁas a manאֶחָד,oneוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysשמותShemosט"ו15כִּיforבָאcameסוּסthe horse ofפַּרְעֹהParohעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

עםa peopleרבnumerousממך.than youבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesהוּאit isרַב,numerousאֲבָלbutבְּעֵינַיin My eyesאֵינוֹit is notרַבnumerousשםthere:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beכְּקָרָבְכֶםas you draw nearאֶלtoהַמִּלְחָמָהthe battleוְנִגַּשׁand shall approachהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenוְדִבֶּרand he shall speakאֶלtoהָעָם׃the people

רַשִׁ״י

כקרבכםwhen you draw nearאלtoהמלחמה.the battleסָמוּךְcloseלְצֵאתְכֶםto your going outמִןfromהַסְּפָרthe border–מִגְּבוּלfrom the boundary ofאַרְצְכֶם:your land

רַשִׁ״י

ונגשAnd shall approachהכהן.the priestהַמָּשׁוּחַthe one anointedלְכָךְ,for thisוְהוּאand heהַנִּקְרָאis called"מְשׁוּחַthe anointed ofמִלְחָמָה":war

רַשִׁ״י

ודברAnd he shall speakאלtoהעם.the peopleבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holinessסוטהSotahמ"ב42b:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְאָמַרand he shall sayאֲלֵהֶםto themשְׁמַעhearיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאַתֶּםyouקְרֵבִיםare drawing nearהַיּוֹםtodayלַמִּלְחָמָהto the battleעַלagainstאֹיְבֵיכֶםyour enemiesאַלdo notיֵרַךְlet faintלְבַבְכֶםyour heartאַלdo notתִּירְאוּfearוְאַלand do notתַּחְפְּזוּpanicוְאַלand do notתַּעַרְצוּbe brokenמִפְּנֵיהֶם׃before them

רַשִׁ״י

שמעHearישראל.O Israelאֲפִלּוּeven ifאֵיןthere is notבָּכֶםin youזְכוּתmeritאֶלָּאexceptקְרִיאַתthe reading ofשְׁמַעShemaבִּלְבַד,aloneכְּדַאיworthyאַתֶּםare youשֶׁיּוֹשִׁיעַthat He should saveאֶתְכֶם:you

רַשִׁ״י

עלAgainstאיביכם.your enemiesאֵיןnotאֵלּוּthese areאַחֵיכֶם,your brothersשֶׁאִםfor ifתִּפְּלוּyou fallבְיָדָםinto their handאֵינָםthey are notמְרַחֲמִיםmercifulעֲלֵיכֶם,upon youאֵיןnotזוֹthis isכְּמִלְחֶמֶתlike the war ofיְהוּדָהYehudahעִםwithיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריDivreiהימיםHaYamimב'IIכ"ח28ט"ו15"וַיָּקֻמוּAnd aroseהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menאֲשֶׁרwhoנִקְּבוּwere designatedבְשֵׁמוֹתby namesוַיַּחֲזִיקוּand they supportedבַשִּׁבְיָהthe captivesוְכָלand all ofמַעֲרֻמֵּיהֶםtheir naked onesהִלְבִּישׁוּthey clothedמִןfromהַשָּׁלָלthe spoilוַיַּלְבִּישׁוּםand they clothed themוַיַּנְעִילוּםand shod themוַיַּאֲכִילוּםand fed themוַיַּשְׁקוּםand gave them drinkוַיְסֻכוּםand anointed themוַיְנַהֲלוּםand led themבַּחֲמֹרִיםon donkeysלְכָלfor everyכּוֹשֵׁלfeeble oneוַיְבִיאוּםand brought them toיְרֵחוֹYerechoעִירthe city ofהַתְּמָרִיםthe palm treesאֵצֶלnearאֲחֵיהֶםtheir brothersוַיָּשׁוּבוּand they returned toשֹׁמְרוֹן",Shomronאֶלָּאratherעַלagainstאוֹיְבֵיכֶםyour enemiesאַתֶּםyouהוֹלְכִים,are goingלְפִיכָךְthereforeהִתְחַזְּקוּstrengthen yourselvesלַמִּלְחָמָהfor the battleספרי;SifreiסוטהSotahמ"ב42a:

רַשִׁ״י

אלDo notירךlet faintלבבכםyour heartאלdo notתיראוfearואלand do notתחפזוhurry precipitatelyואלand do notתערצו.be terrifiedאַרְבַּעfourאַזְהָרוֹתadmonitionsכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toאַרְבָּעָהfourדְבָרִיםthingsשֶׁמַּלְכֵיthat kings ofהָאֻמּוֹתthe nationsעוֹשִׂים,doמְגִיפִיןthey strike togetherבִּתְרִיסֵיהֶםtheir shieldsכְּדֵיin orderלְהַקִּישָׁןto clash themזֶהthisלָזֶהto thisכְּדֵיin orderלְהַשְׁמִיעַto make heardקוֹלa noiseשֶׁיַּחְפְּזוּso that will hurryאֵלּוּtheseשֶׁכְּנֶגְדָןwho are against themוְיָנוּסוּ,and fleeוְרוֹמְסִיםand they trampleבְּסוּסֵיהֶםwith their horsesוּמַצְהִילִיןand make neighאוֹתָםthemלְהַשְׁמִיעַto make heardקוֹלthe sound ofשַׁעֲטַתthe stamping ofפַּרְסוֹתthe hoofs ofסוּסֵיהֶם,their horsesוְצוֹוְחִיןand they shoutבְּקוֹלָם,with their voiceוְתוֹקְעִיןand blowבַּשּׁוֹפָרוֹתtrumpetsוּמִינֵיand kinds ofמַשְׁמִיעֵיinstruments that makeקוֹל:noise

רַשִׁ״י

אלlet notירךfaintלבבכם.your heartsמִצַּהֲלַתfrom the neighing ofסוּסִים:horses

רַשִׁ״י

אלdo notתיראו.fearמֵהֲגָפַתfrom the clashing ofהַתְּרִיסִין:the shields

רַשִׁ״י

ואלand do notתחפזו.hurry precipitatelyמִקּוֹלfrom the sound ofהַקְּרָנוֹת:the horns

רַשִׁ״י

ואלand do notתערצו.be terrifiedמִקּוֹלfrom the sound ofהַצְּוָחָהthe shoutingשםthere:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

כִּיForיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godהַהֹלֵךְis the One Who goesעִמָּכֶםwith youלְהִלָּחֵםto fightלָכֶםfor youעִםagainstאֹיְבֵיכֶםyour enemiesלְהוֹשִׁיעַto saveאֶתְכֶם׃you

רַשִׁ״י

כיForה'Hashemאלהיכםyour Godוגו'.etc.הֵםtheyבָּאִיםcomeבְּנִצְחוֹנוֹwith the victoryשֶׁלofבָּשָׂרfleshוָדָםand bloodוְאַתֶּםbut youבָּאִיםcomeבְּנִצְחוֹנוֹwith the victoryשֶׁלofמָקוֹם.the Omnipresentפְּלִשְׁתִּיםthe Philistinesבָּאוּcameבְנִצְחוֹנוֹwith the victoryשֶׁלofגָּלְיָת,Golyasמֶהwhatהָיָהwasסוֹפוֹ?his endנָפַלhe fellוְנָפְלוּand they fellעִמּוֹ:with him

רַשִׁ״י

ההלךWho goesעמכם.with youזֶהthisמַחֲנֵהthe camp ofהָאָרוֹןthe ArkסוטהSotahמ"ב42:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְדִבְּרוּAnd shall speakהַשֹּׁטְרִיםthe officersאֶלtoהָעָםthe peopleלֵאמֹרsayingמִיWho isהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoבָּנָהbuiltבַיִתa houseחָדָשׁnewוְלֹאand notחֲנָכוֹhas dedicated itיֵלֵךְlet him goוְיָשֹׁבand returnלְבֵיתוֹto his houseפֶּןlestיָמוּתhe dieבַּמִּלְחָמָהin the battleוְאִישׁand a manאַחֵרanotherיַחְנְכֶנּוּ׃will dedicate it

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notחנכו.dedicated itוְלֹאand notדָּרdweltבּוֹ,in itחִנּוּךְdedication isלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַתְחָלָה:beginning

רַשִׁ״י

ואישand anotherאחרmanיחנכנו.will dedicate itוְדָבָרand a matterשֶׁלofעָגְמַתgrief ofנֶפֶשׁsoulהוּאisזֶה:this

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וּמִיAnd who isהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoנָטַעplantedכֶּרֶםa vineyardוְלֹאand did notחִלְּלוֹredeem itיֵלֵךְlet him goוְיָשֹׁבand returnלְבֵיתוֹto his houseפֶּןlestיָמוּתhe will dieבַּמִּלְחָמָהin the warוְאִישׁand a manאַחֵרanotherיְחַלְּלֶנּוּ׃will redeem it

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notחללו.redeemed itלֹאnotפְּדָאוֹredeemed itבַשָּׁנָהin the yearהָרְבִיעִית,the fourthשֶׁהַפֵּרוֹתfor the fruitsטְעוּנִיןrequireלְאָכְלָןto eat themבִּירוּשָׁלַיִםin Yerushalayimאוֹorלְחַלְּלָןto redeem themבְּדָמִיםwith moneyוְלֶאֱכֹלand to eatהַדָּמִיםthe moneyבִּירוּשָׁלַיִם:in Yerushalayim

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וּמִיAnd who isהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoאֵרַשׂbetrothedאִשָּׁהa womanוְלֹאand has notלְקָחָהּtaken herיֵלֵךְlet him goוְיָשֹׁבand returnלְבֵיתוֹto his houseפֶּןlestיָמוּתhe dieבַּמִּלְחָמָהin the battleוְאִישׁand a manאַחֵרanotherיִקָּחֶנָּה׃will take her

רַשִׁ״י

פןlestימותhe will dieבמלחמה.in the warיָשׁוּבlet him returnפֶּןlestיָמוּת,he will dieשֶׁאִםfor ifלֹאnotיִשְׁמַעhe will hearkenלְדִבְרֵיto the words ofהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenכְּדַאיdeservingהוּאhe isשֶׁיָּמוּתthat he dieספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְיָסְפוּAnd they shall continueהַשֹּׁטְרִיםthe officersלְדַבֵּרto speakאֶלtoהָעָםthe peopleוְאָמְרוּand they shall sayמִיwhoהָאִישׁis the manהַיָּרֵאwho is fearfulוְרַךְand softהַלֵּבָבof heartיֵלֵךְlet him goוְיָשֹׁבand returnלְבֵיתוֹto his houseוְלֹאand notיִמַּסmeltאֶת—לְבַבthe heart ofאֶחָיוhis brothersכִּלְבָבוֹ׃like his heart

רַשִׁ״י

ויספוAnd they shall addהשטרים.the officersלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַרis it saidכָּאןhereויספוand they shall add?מוֹסִיפִיןthey addedזֶהthisעַלuponדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַכֹּהֵן,the Kohenשֶׁהַכֹּהֵןfor the Kohenמְדַבֵּרspeaksוּמַשְׁמִיעַand proclaimsמִןfromשמעHearישראלYisraelעַדuntilלהושיעto saveאתכםyou,וּמִיand whoהָאִישׁis the manוְשֵׁנִיand the secondוּשְׁלִישִׁיand the thirdכֹּהֵןthe Kohenמְדַבֵּרspeaksוְשׁוֹטֵרand an officerמַשְׁמִיעַ,proclaimsוְזֶהand thisשׁוֹטֵרan officerמְדַבֵּרspeaksוְשׁוֹטֵרand an officerמַשְׁמִיעַproclaimsסוטהSotahמ"ג43:

רַשִׁ״י

היראHe who is fearfulורךand faintהלבב.of heartרַבִּיRabbiעֲקִיבָאAkibaאוֹמֵרsaysכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ,according to its literal meaningשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notיָכוֹלableלַעֲמֹדto standבְּקִשְׁרֵיin the ranks ofהַמִּלְחָמָהthe battleוְלִרְאוֹתand to look uponחֶרֶבa swordשְׁלוּפָה;drawnרַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseהַגְּלִילִיthe Galileanאוֹמֵרsaysהַיָּרֵאhe who is afraidמֵעֲבֵרוֹתof transgressionsשֶׁבְּיָדוֹ,that are in his handוּלְכָךְand thereforeתָּלְתָהhungלוֹfor himתוֹרָהthe Torahלַחֲזֹרto returnעַלon account ofבַּיִתa houseוְכֶרֶםand a vineyardוְאִשָּׁה,and a wifeלְכַסּוֹתto coverעַלforהַחוֹזְרִיםthose who returnבִּשְׁבִילbecause ofעֲבֵרוֹתtransgressionsשֶׁבְּיָדָםthat are in their handשֶׁלֹּאso that notיָבִינוּthey will understandשֶׁהֵםthat they areבַּעֲלֵיpossessors ofעֲבֵרָה,transgressionוְהָרוֹאֵהוּand he who sees himחוֹזֵרreturningאוֹמֵרsaysשֶׁמָּאperhapsבָּנָהhe builtבַיִתa houseאוֹorנָטַעhe plantedכֶּרֶםa vineyardאוֹorאֵרַשׂhe betrothedאִשָּׁהa wifeסוטהSotahמ"ד44a:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְהָיָהAnd it shall beכְּכַלֹּתwhen finishingהַשֹּׁטְרִיםthe officersלְדַבֵּרto speakאֶלtoהָעָםthe peopleוּפָקְדוּand they shall appointשָׂרֵיcommanders ofצְבָאוֹתlegionsבְּרֹאשׁat the head ofהָעָם׃the people

רַשִׁ״י

שריOfficers ofצבאות.hostsשֶׁמַּעֲמִידִיןthat they appointזַקָּפִיןguardsמִלִּפְנֵיהֶםin front of themוּמִלְּאַחֲרֵיהֶםand behind themוְכַשִּׁילִיןand axesשֶׁלofבַּרְזֶלironבִּידֵיהֶםin their handsוְכָלand anyoneמִיwhoשֶׁרוֹצֶהwantsלַחֲזֹרto returnהָרְשׁוּתthe permissionבְּיָדוֹis in his handלְקַפֵּחַto chop offאֶת—שׁוֹקָיו;his legsזַקָּפִיןguards are–בְּנֵיmenאָדָם·עוֹמְדִיןstandingבִּקְצֵהat the edge ofהַמַּעֲרָכָהthe battle-lineלִזְקֹףto raise upאֶת—הַנּוֹפְלִיםthose who fallוּלְחַזְּקָםand to strengthen themבִּדְבָרִים,with wordsשׁוּבוּreturnאֶלtoהַמִּלְחָמָהthe battleוְלֹאand do notתָנוּסוּ,fleeשֶׁתְּחִלַּתfor the beginning ofנְפִילָהdefeatנִיסָהis flightספרי;SifreiסוטהSotahמ"ד44:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the prohibition against encroaching on a neighbor's land boundary, followed by the rule that a minimum of two witnesses is required to establish guilt in court. If witnesses are exposed as eidim zomemin, having conspired to falsely accuse someone, the Beis Din applies the rule of 'ka'asher zamam,' executing the exact punishment they plotted to inflict. Finally, the Torah details the preparations for war, where the Kohen Mashuach Milchama inspires the soldiers with emunah in Hashem's protection, and the officers announce exemptions from battle for anyone who has recently built a house, planted a vineyard, or betrothed a wife, as well as anyone who is simply afraid, allowing them to return home before the army commanders take charge.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this parsha, the Torah is mechadesh a beautiful yesod about how Hashem looks at our hearts when we face a difficult nisayon. When the Kohen addresses the soldiers before going out to war, he tells them not to fear the massive army standing before them, because Hashem is the One fighting for them. But then, the shotrim make an announcement: anyone who built a house, planted a vineyard, or betrothed a wife must go home. Finally, they announce that anyone who is "afraid and disheartened" should also return home, so he does not weaken the hearts of his brothers.

Lichoira, we have to ask: if Hashem is fighting the battle and victory is guaranteed, why does it matter if a soldier is afraid? Why should his personal fear send him home if the war is supernatural anyway? The teretz is that Hashem wants our avodah to be whole. He does not want us forcing ourselves into situations where our hearts are completely broken with anxiety and dread, because that inner panic actually drags down the spiritual strength of those around us. The Torah is telling us that our internal state, our emotional and spiritual readiness, is what determines whether we belong on the battlefield of life.

We often think that to be a good Yid, we have to push through every single pressure cooker, even when we are falling apart inside. We think we have to show up to every battle, even when our hearts are not in it. But the Torah teaches us the opposite. Hashem cares deeply about your inner peace and your emotional capacity. If you are feeling completely overwhelmed, anxious, or spiritually depleted by a certain situation, sometimes the ratzon Hashem is actually for you to step back, protect your neshama, and focus on building your own house and vineyard first.

Today, if you find yourself facing a major challenge or a stressful situation that is causing you deep anxiety, stop and check in with your heart. Instead of trying to force your way through with sheer willpower, take a step back and ask yourself what you need to do to find your inner calm and bitachon in Hashem first.