It wasn't just about strategy. It was about the soul.
Sifrei Devarim, a part of the larger collection of legal midrashim connected to the Book of Deuteronomy, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the exemptions from military service in ancient Israel. And tucked away in Sifrei Devarim 195, we find a few nuggets that reveal some surprising insights into how the Israelites thought about fate, property, and even divine communication.
The first exemption deals with a man who hasn't yet dedicated his new house. The Torah says he should return home, "lest he die in the war, and another man dedicate it" (Deuteronomy 20:5). Now, Sifrei Devarim sees a deeper meaning here. It suggests that the death isn't just a random occurrence. It's a consequence. "If he does not heed the words of the Cohein," the priest who would address the troops before battle, "in the end he will die in the war." It's not simply that war is dangerous. It's that ignoring spiritual guidance, specifically the wisdom offered by the Cohein, could have dire consequences. It's a sobering thought about the importance of listening to wise counsel, especially in times of crisis.
But the verse continues, "and another man will inhabit it." Who is this "another man"? Could it be a relative, a son, or a brother? Sifrei Devarim is very specific. It points out that the word "another" appears here and elsewhere in Deuteronomy (28:30) where it says: "You shall betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her". It then makes a connection using a method of biblical interpretation called gezerah shavah (similar expression), it states that the "another" in both instances refers to a gentile.
So, the tragic scenario isn't just that the man dies; it's that his home, his hard-earned property, will be inhabited by a foreigner. This adds another layer of tragedy and emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's potential and enjoying the fruits of one's labor.
The next exemption concerns a man who has planted a vineyard but hasn't yet enjoyed its first harvest. The same logic applies: he should return home "lest he die in the war, and another man eat of it" (Deuteronomy 20:6). But Sifrei Devarim asks a crucial question: What about a man who didn't plant the vineyard himself? What if he inherited it, acquired it, or received it as a gift?
The text cleverly uses the words "Who is the man," found at the beginning of the verse, as an all-encompassing phrase. This teaches us that the exemption applies to any man who hasn't yet enjoyed the fruits of a newly acquired vineyard, regardless of how he obtained it. It's a beautiful example of how the Rabbis expanded the scope of the law to ensure fairness and equity.
What does all this mean for us today? Well, maybe we're not heading off to war (hopefully!). But the lessons embedded in Sifrei Devarim 195 still resonate. They remind us to seek wise counsel, to appreciate the blessings in our lives, and to find meaning in our work before it's too late. The Torah, and the Rabbinic tradition that surrounds it, is always speaking, if we are willing to listen.