TT #305 · Parashas Shoftim · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 20:08
And the officers shall continue to speak to the people and say: Who is the man who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that he not melt the heart of his brothers as his own heart.
Torah Temimah points to Sotah 44a / Sifrei.
TT lemma: מִי הָאִישׁ הַיָּרֵא וְרַךְ הַלֵּבָב.
English: ‘Who is the man who is fearful and faint-hearted’ – he shall return.
Derash on the fear exemption (Bavli / Sifrei) — fear that spreads is grounds for release.
A man whose fear is so great that it will melt the hearts of his comrades is sent home from the ranks.