Pisqa’ 251¹

1

“Don’t inquire after their comfort²or well-being”³ (Dt.23:7).

Inferring from what is stated:

“When you approach a city to wage war against it, and you sue it for peace” (Dt.20:10)—

is it possible to say that, here too,

[the duty to make peace suspends the mandate for war]?

The Teaching states:

“Don’t inquire after their comfort or well-being” (Dt.23:7)—

[rather, wage war without mercy].

2

“Or well-being” (Dt.23:7)—

inferring from what is stated

[about the escaped gentile slave]:

“If he is doing well,⁴ do not oppress him” (Dt.23:17)—

is it possible to say that, here too,

the same rule applies [to the case of waging war]?

The Teaching states:

“Or well-being, all your days, forever” (Dt.23:7)—

[your enmity against him must last]

an eternity of eternities.

1. H:254; JN2:177.
2. Heb: shlomam; literally, “their peace.” From the root, sh-l-m.
3. Heb: tovatam; literally, “their good.”
4. Heb: betov lo.