Pisqa’ 1951
1
“Who is the man who has planted a vineyard” (Dt.20:6)?
I might infer only that
[this exemption] applies to
one who planted a vineyard!
On what basis do I know to include
one who inherited the vineyard,
one who purchased the vineyard,,
or one who received it as a gift?
The Teaching states:
“Who has planted” (Dt.20:6)—
[planting includes any form of acquisition of the vineyard].2
“A vineyard” (Dt.20:6)—
I might infer only that
this exemption applies to a vineyard.
On what basis do I know to include
one planting five fruit trees,
even if they are five separate kinds?
The Teaching states:
“Who has planted” (Dt.20:6)—
[thus the exemption extends to orchards].
If so, is it possible to say that
[this exemption applies]
even to the planter of four fruit trees
or five shade trees?3
The Teaching states:
“A vineyard” (Dt.20:6)—
R. Eliezer b. Jacob says:
I interpret vineyard to mean just that!4
2
“And who hasn’t yet awaited the
[four years of its] deconsecration for common use?” (Dt.20:6)—
this excludes [from exemption] anyone
who trains shoots [beneath the ground]
or who grafts [saplings prior to deconsecration].5
“He shall go and return to his home” (Dt.20:6)—
that is, he shall go and heed
the instructions of the Warrior Priest to return.
“Lest he die in battle” (Dt.20:6)—failing to heed
the instructions of the Warrior Priest,
he will eventually die in battle.6
3
“And another man will deconsecrate it” (Dt.20:6)—
is it possible to say that
his uncle or cousin might take the vineyard?
Here it is stated:
“Another man will deconsecrate it” (Dt.20:6),
and elsewhere it is stated:
“Another man will take her” (Dt.20:7; cf. Dt.28:30)—
just as the other man discussed elsewhere
implies a stranger,
so, too, the other man discussed here
implies a stranger.”7