Rashi - perspective on war

As we read Rashi's commentary on battle and rules of engagement from Deut 20 we need to recall the perspective that this great scholar may have brought with the interpretation.

Rashi lived at the time of the first Crusades. He had studied in Germany and then returned to France. As the Crusaders went to drive the Muslims out of Christian sites they also attacked the Jews in those places where Rashi had studied. So he knew first hand of the terror and the dehumanization that happens in this type battle.

Nevertheless, some commentaries note that the horrors of the Crusade was not included in his writings.

However, it is more than likely influencing his view of the portions about war and battle.

As he reflects on the rules of engagement in Torah - this is his perspective: ' go forth against your enemies - do not have mercy because they will not have mercy on you...'

and on the imbalance of going against stronger forces he notes: they may be 'in your eyes larger but in God's eyes they are not as great'

War and battle are difficult subjects and are hard for one imagine if we have no experience first hand.

As in much of Torah study it is possible to think of this in terms of more personal wars against difficulties as well. Trying to overcome a great difficulty must seem like a battle against something larger than yourself. Think of this in terms of a battle against a disease or a battle to overcome a disability. And in these cases it is also relevant to think of the enemy as a force to be battled with without mercy.