Parsha:

Beshalach,  Chukat,  Vayeilech 

Collections: The Song at Arnon

Description

Just after Aharon's death, we hear about a military conflict between the king of Arad and Bnei Yisrael. In response, Bnei Yisrael take a collective vow that if Hashem enables them to defeat their enemy (and return the captives taken in war), they will destroy their city and declare it to be "Herem" (see Yehoshua 6-7). The text concludes by relating that Bnei Yisrael were, indeed, victorious and they fulfilled their vow - and called the city they destroyed חרמה. The problem with this narrative is that it seems to be reflecting an event during or after Yehoshua's time, as is seen in the first chapter of Shoftim. This opens up the question of those phrases and passages in Torah that seem to reflect a later reality - we survey a collection of verses that appear to be "late additions" and how a range of Rishonim addressed this thorny issue.