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Why did Joshua's angel emphasize Torah (תורה) study during wartime, and why were scholars required to lead military campaigns? The shiur develops a yesod that Jewish warfare serves dual functions: territorial conquest and executing divine judgment on condemned nations. This judicial dimension explains why wars required Sanhedrin approval and why Torah knowledge was essential for those implementing God's verdicts.
This shiur presents a profound reexamination of the concept of war in Jewish thought, using the story of Joshua's conquest of Jericho as a foundation. Rabbi Zweig begins by questioning several puzzling aspects of the Jericho narrative: why the angel admonishes Joshua for neglecting Torah (תורה) study, what connection exists between the angel's message and the command to remove shoes, and why only half-miracles occurred at Jericho while the people still faced combat with giants. The central thesis emerges that Jewish warfare serves a dual function beyond simple territorial conquest. While one aspect involves reclaiming the Promised Land that rightfully belongs to the Jewish people through divine promise, a deeper dimension involves acting as divine agents executing God's judgment upon nations that have transgressed beyond redemption. This judicial aspect explains why Torah study was essential even during wartime - those engaged in war were not merely soldiers but judges implementing divine verdicts.
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Sefer Yehoshua (Book of Joshua) - conquest of Jericho
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