Shoftim 20:02 · unit 3

TT #277 · Parashas Shoftim · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 20:02

The Complete Passuk

וְהָיָ֕ה כְּקָרׇבְכֶ֖ם אֶל־הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְנִגַּ֥שׁ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְדִבֶּ֥ר אֶל־הָעָֽם׃

And it shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the kohen shall approach and speak to the people.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim 191.

TT lemma: כְּקָרׇבְכֶם אֶל הַמִּלְחָמָה.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim 191

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
כְּקָרׇבְכֶם אֶל הַמִּלְחָמָה – בִּשְׁעַת קְרָב.

English: ‘When you draw near to the battle’ – at the time of engagement.

On the daf / in context: The timing of the address is when the army is about to enter combat.

Type of Learning

Derash on the timing (Sifrei) — the speech is given as the battle approaches.

What Is Learned

The kohen speaks to the people as they draw near to actual combat, not long beforehand.