Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Shofetim/0/en

Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Shofetim

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Calling for Peace

Many are uncomfortable with the directive to annihilate the Seven Nations of Canaan.  Was there really no possibility for peaceful co-existence? Commentators actually debate the issue, with Rashi maintaining that it was prohibited to call for peace and war was inevitable, and Radak claiming that the nation was obligated to offer terms of peace before waging war.

• How would each side of the debate read the verses of Devarim 20?  What other verses could support each position? How does the story of the Gibonites' deceit in Sefer Yehoshua shed light on the issue?
• According to Rashi, the reason for the decree of obliteration is religious in nature, lest the nations sway Israel towards idolatry.  Sometimes a zero-tolerance policy is necessary.  Do you agree?  In what circumstances are compromises not an option?
• According to Radak, what would have happened had the nations actually surrendered to Israel? How would the land have sustained both populations?  How do you think Israelite history might have differed?  For more, see Calling for Peace in the Conquest of Canaan.