Pisqa’ 951
1
“And gather all its plunder” (Dt.13:17)—
including the property of its Wicked that is beyond it.
“Into the midst of its plaza” (Dt.13:17)—
if the town has no plaza, build a plaza for it.
If the plaza was outside the city,
how do we know to annex it to the city?
The Teaching states:
“Into the midst of its plaza” (Dt.13:17).
“And you shall burn the city with fire, and all of its plunder” (Dt.13:17)—
but not the plunder
[already consecrated] to Heaven.2
On this basis they taught:
trees that are still attached to the ground
are permitted [to survive],
but the uprooted are prohibited.
Cisterns, ditches, and caverns,
and holy texts are permitted,
for it is said:
“Its plunder” (Dt.13:17)—
but not the plunder
[already consecrated] to Heaven.3
Another word:
“Its plunder” (Dt.13:17)—
but not the plunder
[already consecrated] to Heaven.
On this basis they taught:
consecrated animals that are within it
should be redeemed,
Threshing-floor-offerings should be left to rot,
and Second-tithe [coins] and holy texts
should be removed from circulation.4
2
“Entirely consumed for HASHEM your God, and it shall be a ruin for all time” (Dt.13:17)—
And, similarly, He says:
“Now, at that time, Joshua swore an oath, saying:
accursed before HASHEM is he who shall arise and rebuild this city, Jericho!” (Josh.6:36).
Now, don’t we know that its name is Jericho?
Rather, the point is that
they should neither rebuild it
under another city’s name,
nor build another city
under the name of Jericho.
[As for one who rebuilds a condemned city, it is said:]
“At the cost of his first born
will he lay its foundation,
and at the cost of his youngest
will he erect its doorways” (Josh.6:26).
Is it possible that Joshua’s curse
applies to inadvertent
[rebuilding of the condemned city]?
The Teaching states:
“According to the word of HASHEM,
which He declared by means of Joshua b. Nun” (1Ki.16:34).
Conclude from this that
[Hiel of Bethel, who rebuilt Jericho at King Ahab’s behest,]
acted intentionally.5