Shoftim 20:12 · EXTRA 2

EXTRA · Side-ring · Parashas Shoftim · Passuk 20:12

The Complete Passuk

וְאִם־לֹ֤א תַשְׁלִים֙ עִמָּ֔ךְ וְעָשְׂתָ֥ה עִמְּךָ֖ מִלְחָמָ֑ה וְצַרְתָּ֖ עָלֶֽיהָ׃

But if it will not make peace with you, and it makes war with you, then you shall besiege it.

Chazal / classical source (beyond TT-numbered main-ring units): Sifrei Devarim 200.

Lemma: וְצַרְתָּ עָלֶיהָ.

Core Text

וְצַרְתָּ עָלֶיהָ – מִצְוָה לָצוּר.

English: ‘Then you shall besiege it’ – it is a mitzvah to besiege.

On the daf / in context: Once peace is refused, siege becomes the required course.

Derash classifying the siege (Sifrei) — the language creates a positive duty to lay siege when peace is rejected.

When a city rejects the peace offer and makes war, Yisrael is commanded to besiege it.