Pisqa’ 1561
1
“When you enter into the Land” (Dt.17:14)—
perform the commandment specified in this context,
for by virtue of this will you enter the Land.
“Which HASHEM your God is giving you” (Dt.17:14)—
because you deserve it.
“And you shall inherit it, and settle within it” (Dt.17:14)—
the reward for inheriting it is settling it.2
2
“And should you say, I will appoint over me a king” (Dt.17:14).
R. Nehorai says:
This is, indeed, an insult to Israel!
For it is said:
“Because it is not you whom they reject;
rather they have rejected Me from ruling over them” (1Sam.8:7)3
Said R. Judah:
Look, now—isn’t Israel commanded in the Torah
to request for themselves a king?4
For it is said:
“You should indeed appoint over yourself a king” (Dt.17:14).
Why, then, were they punished for this
in the days of Samuel?
Because they took the initiative.
“Like all the nations that surround me” (Dt.17:14).
R. Nehorai says:
They only requested a king for themselves
in order to establish for themselves a foreign cult,
for it is said:
“And even we shall be like all the nations, with our king to judge us,
to go out before us, and to fight our wars” (1Sam.8:20)5