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Deuteronomy 20:9 - Officers appoint wartime leaders.

Deuteronomy 20:9 - דברים 20:9

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה כְּכַלֹּת הַשֹּׁטְרִים לְדַבֵּר אֶל־הָעָם וּפָקְדוּ שָׂרֵי צְבָאוֹת בְּרֹאשׁ הָעָם׃

English Translation

And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.

Transliteration

Vehaya kechalot hashoterim ledaber el-ha'am ufakdu sarei tzva'ot bero'sh ha'am.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֛ה כְּכַלֹּ֥ת הַשֹּׁטְרִ֖ים לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־הָעָ֑ם וּפָ֥קְד֛וּ שָׂרֵ֥י צְבָא֖וֹת בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הָעָֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְהָיָ֛ה כְּכַלֹּ֥ת הַשֹּׁטְרִ֖ים לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־הָעָ֑ם וּפָ֥קְד֛וּ שָׂרֵ֥י צְבָא֖וֹת בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הָעָֽם׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse (Devarim 20:9) appears in the Torah's discussion of the laws of warfare, specifically addressing the procedures before going to battle. The officers (shotrim) first address the people to exempt certain individuals from fighting (as detailed in the preceding verses), and then military captains (sarei tzva'ot) are appointed to lead the troops.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 20:9) explains that the officers mentioned here are not military officers but rather shotrei Yisrael (officers of Israel) who ensure the people follow Torah law. Their role is to encourage the soldiers with words of faith, as described in the previous verses (20:3-4), reminding them that Hashem fights alongside them. Only after this spiritual preparation do the military captains take charge.

Rambam's Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim 7:2), Rambam codifies this verse as part of the halachic framework for war. He emphasizes that the appointment of military leaders follows the initial exemptions and declarations, ensuring that only those obligated and prepared for battle proceed under proper leadership.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash Tanchuma (Shoftim 19) connects this verse to the broader theme of divine providence in war. It teaches that the officers' speech and the subsequent appointment of captains reflect a dual responsibility: trust in Hashem (bitachon) alongside practical military preparation (hishtadlut). The structure underscores that even in warfare, Israel must balance spiritual and physical readiness.

Talmudic Discussion

The Talmud (Sotah 42a) analyzes the hierarchy implied in this verse. It notes that the officers (shotrim) hold a distinct role from the military captains (sarei tzva'ot), with the former addressing moral and spiritual concerns and the latter handling tactical leadership. This division highlights the Torah's integrated approach to warfare, where spiritual and physical leadership operate in tandem.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Preparation: The officers' speech precedes military action, emphasizing the priority of moral and religious readiness.
  • Leadership Structure: The Torah mandates a clear chain of command, with specialized roles for spiritual and military leaders.
  • Divine and Human Roles: The process reflects the partnership between human effort (hishtadlut) and reliance on Hashem (bitachon).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 20:9 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 20:9 describes the process before going to war in ancient Israel. After the officers finish encouraging the people (as mentioned in the previous verses), military captains are appointed to lead the troops. According to Rashi, this shows the orderly structure of Israel's army, ensuring proper leadership before battle.
Q: Why is appointing army captains important in this verse?
A: Appointing captains is crucial because it ensures organized leadership in war. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 7:1) explains that Torah mandates proper military structure to maintain discipline and unity. Without appointed leaders, the army would lack direction, which could lead to chaos in battle.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 20:9 today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of structure and leadership in any communal effort. Just as the Israelites needed appointed captains for war, today we need proper leadership in all endeavors. The Talmud (Berachot 55a) extends this idea, showing that every group requires a responsible leader to guide them effectively.
Q: Who were the 'officers' and 'captains' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'officers' (shotrim) were Torah scholars who addressed the people's spiritual concerns before war (Rashi on Deuteronomy 20:5). The 'captains' (sarai tzva'ot) were military leaders appointed for tactical command. The Midrash (Sifrei) explains that both roles were essential—spiritual preparation first, then practical leadership.
Q: How does this verse relate to the laws of war in Judaism?
A: Deuteronomy 20:9 is part of the Torah's laws of ethical warfare (milchemet reshut). The verse highlights that war requires both spiritual readiness (through the officers' speech) and military organization (through appointed captains). The Talmud (Sotah 44a) discusses how these procedures ensured wars were conducted justly and with Divine approval.