Pisqa’ 1581
1
“But—he is not to have himself many horses ” (Dt.17:16).
Is it possible to say that
he shouldn’t have many horses
for his chariots or his cavalry?
The Teaching states:
“Himself” (Dt.17:16)—
for himself he may not have many horses,
but he is entitled to have many
for his chariots or his cavalry.
If so, why is it immediately said:
“In order to amass much horse”2 (Dt.17:16)?
Horse refers to idle horses.
How do I know that
even for a single idle horse
a king of Israel is capable
of returning the people to Egypt?
The Teaching states:
“In order to amass much horse, he shall not cause the people to return to Egypt . . .
And HASHEM said to them: Never again go down that road!” (Dt.17:16).
Now, doesn’t it follow logically?
A covenant was sealed
against returning Israel to Egypt.
Yet, nevertheless, transgression
caused [the nation to] return there!
All the more so should we expect,
of lands other than Egypt,
concerning which no covenant [against returning] was sealed,
[that greed would
cause Israel to be deported there]!