Parshas Shoftim - The Kohen Mashuach Milchamah and His Message

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August 10 2009
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Parshas Shoftim features many of the mitzvos pertaining to milchamah (war). Among these mitzvos is that of the Kohen Mashuach Milchamah, the "Kohen Anointed for War".


The Torah dictates (Devarim 20:3-4) that a special Kohen be anointed with Shemen Ha-Mishchah (Oil of Anointment), and that this Kohen approach the soldiers at the onset of battle with an appeal to not be afraid, for Hashem will be with them. The Rambam (Hil. Melachim 7:2) explains that this special Kohen proclaims the military exemptions for one who was just betrothed, planted a vineyard or built a house. The Kohen Mashuach Milchamah is required to deliver his words in Hebrew (Sefer Ha-Chinuch m. 526).


Why is it necessary to have a Kohen address the troops? If his role is supposed to be comparable to that of a modern-day military chaplain, whose job is to provide spiritual encouragement, why does the Torah not command to merely dispatch a talmid chochom (Torah scholar/rabbi)? Why does a special Kohen need to be anointed for this very brief occasion with Shemen Ha-Mishchah, which is normally reserved for kings and Kohanim Gedolim? And why does the Kohen need to speak specifically in Hebrew?


The Rambam describes some of the more profane aspects of halachic warfare (Hil. Melachim 8:1-3), including the outright permission of soldiers to consume non-kosher food when need be and to be intimate with heathen women ("Eishes Y'fas To'ar") in captivity. On the other hand, the Sefer Ha-Chinuch (m. 526) states that war waged by the Jewish kings was done to preserve Torah and for Godly, noble goals. The proclamation of divine assistance by the Kohen Mashuach Milchamah conforms to this notion.


With this seeming paradox in mind - that milchamah can provide for base behavior and at the same time be a holy venture - one can answer the above questions. The true role of the Kohen Mashuach Milchamah is to address the raw, seemingly vulgar and overall secular nature of war and convert milchamah into an operation of Torah and kedushah. Thus, the it is necessary for a Kohen - one whose existence must be pure and centered on Mikdash service - to encourage the troops, so as to demonstrate the sacredness of their mission and relate it to the most exalted sanctum. In fact, anointment with Shemen Ha-Mishchah for the sole purpose of wartime preparation designates this Kohen as unique so as to display the holy nature of proper milchamah, just as anointment with Shemen Ha-Mishchah and other types of preparation for Avodah and holy status convey the concept of the kedushah about to be encountered. The same is true of the language, for the Holy Tongue must be utilized to express the message of the Kohen Mashuach Milchamah, as it a call to be holy and to engage in a Godly operation. The Kohen's words, which sancitify the milchamah, are thus a holy pronouncement, and Loshon Kodesh (the Holy Tongue) needs to be used.


Milchamah according to the Torah provides us with insight as to what a comprehensive Torah life means. Every facet of such a life, including the most profane aspects of it, is suffused with kedushah, as all is conducted according to the Torah, thereby providing elevation and sanctity and drawing one ever closer to Hashem.

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    Learning on the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah site is sponsored today by Judy & Mark Frankel & family l'ilui nishmos מרדכי בן הרב משה יהודה ע"ה and משה יהודה ז"ל בן מאיר אליהו ויהודית