Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 20:16 mean when it says 'thou shalt save alive nothing that breathes'?
A: This verse refers to the commandment regarding the seven Canaanite nations during the conquest of the Land of Israel. According to Orthodox Jewish interpretation (Rashi, Rambam), this was a specific wartime commandment to eliminate these nations due to their extreme idolatry and moral corruption, which posed a spiritual danger to the Jewish people. It was not a general permission for violence, but a unique historical command for that time and place.
Q: Why was this commandment given only for the seven Canaanite nations?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 16b) explains that these nations were singled out because of their particularly corrupt practices and because they inhabited the Land of Israel which was designated for the Jewish people. The Rambam (Laws of Kings 6:1) notes this was a unique commandment that doesn't apply to other nations, as these nations' influence would have prevented the establishment of a Torah society in the land.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: According to Jewish law, this commandment was only applicable during the initial conquest of Canaan under Joshua and has no practical application today. The Rambam (Laws of Kings 5:4) states that these nations no longer exist as distinct peoples. Today, Jewish law emphasizes peaceful relations with all nations and only permits war under very specific circumstances authorized by Torah law.
Q: Does this verse conflict with Judaism's value of preserving life?
A: No. Traditional Jewish sources explain this was an exceptional commandment for a specific historical situation. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 59a) teaches that generally, 'Whoever destroys a single life is considered as if he destroyed an entire world.' This commandment was meant to protect the spiritual future of the Jewish nation in their land, not to establish a general principle of violence.
Q: What can we learn from this verse today?
A: The verse teaches the importance of maintaining spiritual purity in the Land of Israel. While the specific commandment doesn't apply today, we learn about the seriousness of influences that can lead people away from Torah values. The Midrash (Sifrei) connects this to the idea that we must be vigilant against negative influences in our own lives that might distance us from proper service of Hashem.
Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)
The verse (Devarim 20:16) appears in the context of the Torah's laws regarding warfare, specifically addressing the treatment of the seven Canaanite nations. This commandment is part of the broader mitzvah to eradicate these nations due to their extreme idolatry and moral corruption, which posed a spiritual danger to Bnei Yisrael.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 20:16) clarifies that this commandment applies specifically to the seven Canaanite nations (the Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Hittites). He emphasizes that this is a unique halacha (law) for these nations due to their entrenched wickedness and the spiritual threat they posed. Rashi contrasts this with the laws of war against other nations, where peaceful overtures must first be made (Devarim 20:10).
Rambam's Halachic Perspective
In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim 5:4), the Rambam codifies this commandment, explaining that it was a one-time obligation during the conquest of Eretz Yisrael. He notes that these nations no longer exist as identifiable entities, as they were either destroyed or assimilated into other peoples. Thus, the commandment is not applicable in later generations.
Moral and Theological Considerations
Modern Orthodox Perspectives
Contemporary Orthodox thinkers like Rav Soloveitchik emphasize that this commandment reflects the unique historical moment of establishing a holy nation in Eretz Yisrael. They note that Jewish law strictly prohibits unnecessary cruelty in warfare (based on Devarim 20:19-20's laws protecting trees) and that these commands were never applied beyond their original context.