Jewish ethics, as it pertains to war, features front and center in Deuteronomy 20. How should Jewish
wars be waged, asks Abravanel? Further, he wants to know about the roles of kings, judges, and officers.
Our chapter's lead commandment orders soldiers to reign in fear when battle drums grow louder.
"When you go forth to battle against your enemies…you shall not be afraid…for God your Almighty is
with you…” Abravanel observes that the injunction against fearing or dreading the enemy is not a new
one. In fact, the prohibition appears in Exodus 23 and Numbers 14.
“When you go forth to battle against your enemies, and see horses, and
chariots, and a people more [numerous] than you, you shall not be afraid
of them, for God your Almighty is with you, Who brought you out of the
land of Egypt.”
What is new, however, has to do with the way military brass deal with man's fear. Enter the priest
embedded with Hebrew troops. He knew how to assess and assuage panic in the army barracks. Military
police assisted him. Thus, our chapter introduces methods to stem sagging army moral, and buttress
spirit de corps.
The Torah lists three gnawing threats liable to demoralize troops, causing considerable consternation.
One is a sense of intimidation of the enemy. If Hebrew soldiers fall into enemy hands, no mercy will be
shown."When you go forth to battle against your enemies…" Two refers to imagining exaggerated
estimations of the adversary. "And see horses, and chariots…" Fear stems from seeing mighty horses
and cavalry. Three speaks of seeing opposing hordes. "And a people more [numerous] than you…"
In light of these threats, the Torah demands valor. "You shall not be afraid of them…" In so many words,
Heaven apprised the nation that if future campaigns were to be fought along a natural plane, then fear
would be justified. But it wouldn't and they shouldn't. God guards His flock.
When Jews engage in war, the Creator takes the battlefield. Not much is required of the soldiers. "For
God your Almighty is with you." King David, Israel's commander in chief, writes as much when he
conveyed God's sentiment."He delights not in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in man's
[muscular] legs." Numbers of fighting forces, for God, hardly carries weight because He saves the few
out of the hands of the mighty."You shall not be afraid."
Given these good tidings, why would an outbreak of hostilities cause Hebrew warriors to shudder? Even
being outnumbered, outgunned, or otherwise outclassed should not produce a bead of sweat. Hadn't
the escape from Egypt taken place against all odds, pitted poor, unarmed myriads against a well-greased
Egyptian killing machine? "Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt."
God forbade the soldiers to quail for a couple of reasons. First, fear is fueled by a lack of faith and trust
in the Creator. Second, anxiety cripples. When a man is gripped by angst, good judgment and smarts fail
him. Heroism escapes him, leaving confusion and vulnerability in its stead. In such a feeble state of
mind, the heart swoons. Victory eludes him.
Defeatism can be warded off, given proper intervention. "And it shall be when you draw close to battle,
that the priest shall approach and address the people. And shall say to them: Hear, O Israel. You draw
close this day to battle against your enemies…" According to the Talmud, there is a prescribed protocol.
A priest reads the text before broadcasting it. A second oratory followed, this one bellowed by the
military police or officers. See Abravanel’s World for more on this subject.
