Calling for Peace in the Conquest of Canaan/2

Calling for Peace

Exegetical Approaches

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No Call for Peace to Seven Nations

There is an obligation to try and negotiate peace only before voluntary wars (מלחמת רשות).  No such commandment exists with regards to fighting the seven nations of Canaan.  This position subdivides regarding whether any gestures on the part of the Canaanites can override the decree to obliterate them:

Canaanite Gestures Rejected

The command to kill the Canaanites is in effect even if they repent and reject idolatry.

Sources:Pesikta DeRav Kahana, RashiBemidbar 21:22Devarim 20:10-18Sotah 35bAbout R. Shelomo Yitzchaki,¹ perhaps R. Yosef Bekhor ShorDevarim 20:16About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor²

Canaanite Gestures Accepted

Though the Israelites are not supposed to seek out peace, if, before the war, the Canaanites on their own approach and submit themselves to Israel, they are accepted and they might live.

Sources:RashbamDevarim 20:16About R. Shemuel b. Meir, ChizkuniDevarim 20:11-17About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach,

Call for Peace Also to Seven Nations

There is an obligation to seek peace both before embarking on a voluntary war (מלחמת רשות) and an obligatory war (מלחמת מצוה), such as the conquest of the Seven Nations of Canaan.

¹ This is Rashi's opinion in his comments on Bavli Sotah 35b.  However, he contradicts himself in his commentary to Devarim 20:18 where he says that Canaanites who repent and convert will be accepted.

² R"Y Bekhor Shor states that there is no calling for peace to those living in Israel.  However he does not elaborate so it is unclear if he thinks there are any cases, where, nonetheless, the decree to obliterate the Canaanites would be overridden.