Pisqa’ 1591
1
“And he is not to have himself many wives” (Dt.17:17)—
well, not more than eighteen.
R. Judah says:
a king surely may have himself many wives,
as long as they do not lead his heart astray [from Torah].
R. Shimon says:
even one—
if she leads his heart astray [from Torah],
he should not marry her!
If so, why is it stated:
“He is not to have himself many wives” (Dt.17:17)?
Even wives like Abigail (1Sam.25:1-42)!2
“He is not to have himself many wives” (Dt.17:17)—
even wives like Abigail and her companions,
who were upstanding—
he should avoid marrying her!
As for the likes of Jezebel and her companions,
who were wicked (e.g., 1Ki.16:31-33)—
she would certainly
lead his heart astray [from Torah].3
2
“And he should not amass for himself much silver and gold” (Dt.17:17).
Is it possible to say that
he should not amass for himself wealth
in order to provision his army?
The Teaching states:
“He should not amass for himself” (Dt.17:17)—
for himself he may not amass wealth,
but he may amass wealth
in order to provision his army.4
Another word:
In order to provision his army?
The Teaching states:
“He should not amass for himself” (Dt.17:17).
For himself he may not amass wealth,
but he may amass wealth
in order to provision his army.5
And this is what David did,
as it is said:
“Indeed, though unworthy, I have provisioned
the Abode of HASHEM with gold,
at a hundred thousand ingots,
and with silver
at a thousand thousand ingots” (1Chron.22:14) .
But Solomon devalued the currency,
in accord with what is said:
“And he made silver in Jerusalem
as common as stones” (1Ki.10:26).6