Shoftim 20:10 · unit 3

TT #312 · Parashas Shoftim · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 20:10

The Complete Passuk

כִּֽי־תִקְרַ֣ב אֶל־עִ֔יר לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עָלֶ֑יהָ וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֵלֶ֖יהָ לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃

When you draw near to a city to fight against it, you shall call out to it for peace.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim 199.

TT lemma: לְשָׁלוֹם.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim 199

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
לְשָׁלוֹם – וְלֹא לְכִלָּיוֹן.

English: ‘For peace’ – and not for destruction.

On the daf / in context: The goal of the call is peaceful submission, not annihilation.

Type of Learning

Derash on the purpose of the call (Sifrei) — peace is the preferred outcome.

What Is Learned

The first approach to a city is an offer of peace; destruction is only the alternative if peace is refused.