Pisqa’ 2111
1
“When you go out to battle” (Dt.21:10)—
the verse speaks of an optional war.2
“Upon your enemies” (Dt.21:10)—
that is, against your enemies,
[but not in an alliance with them].
“And HASHEM your God has delivered him into your hands” (Dt.21:10)—
if you have performed all that is stated here,
in the end, HASHEM your God will deliver him
into your hands!
2
“And you take him captive” (Dt.21:10)—
including any Canaanites that might be within.
“And you see among the captured” (Dt.21:11)—
that is, during her captivity.
“A woman” (Dt.21:11)—
even though she is a married woman.
“In fine shape” (Dt.21:11)—
I infer from this only that
she may be taken [as a war-bride]
only as long as she is a beauty.
How do I know that
she may be taken even if she is ugly?
The Teaching states:
“And you desire her” (Dt.21:11)—
even though she’s not in fine shape.
“Then you may take her as your wife” (Dt.21:11)—
lest you say:
this one’s for my father, and that one’s for my brother!