Shoftim 20:03 · unit 3

TT #280 · Parashas Shoftim · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 20:03

The Complete Passuk

וְאָמַ֤ר אֲלֵהֶם֙ שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַתֶּ֨ם קְרֵבִ֥ים הַיּ֛וֹם לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עַל־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אַל־יֵרַ֣ךְ לְבַבְכֶ֗ם אַל־תִּֽירְא֛וּ וְאַֽל־תַּחְפְּז֖וּ וְאַל־תַּֽעַרְצ֥וּ מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם׃

And he shall say to them: Hear, Yisrael, you are drawing near today to battle against your enemies; let your heart not be faint, do not fear, do not panic, and do not be terrified before them.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim 192.

TT lemma: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim 192

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל – אֲפִלּוּ אֵין בָּכֶם אֶלָּא זְכוּת קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע.

English: ‘Hear, Yisrael’ – even if you have only the merit of the reading of the Shema.

On the daf / in context: The opening word recalls the Shema and its protective power.

Type of Learning

Derash linking the address to the Shema (Sifrei) — the mere recitation of Shema is a source of strength.

What Is Learned

Even the merit of the daily Shema is enough to give Yisrael confidence when they go out to battle.