Sifrei Mitzvot untuk Ulangan 20:2

A Kohen is appointed to address the people at the time of war, whether it is a War of Mitzvoh or a Discretionary War. He is anointed with the (special) Anointing Oil and called the “Anointed for War”.

The Anointed for War addresses the people twice. First, at the border⁵⁴When leaving the country. just before going out to wage the battle, he says to them, “Is there man here who has planted a vineyard, and has not redeemed it?” (Deut. 20:6). When they hear him, those people will return from the front. And then again at the front he (addresses them and) says, “do not fear and do not run away” (Deut. 20:3).

At the time they are organizing to deploy in their battle array and are ready to do battle, the Anointed for War stands on a high place with the entire army before him and says to them in the Holy Tongue, “Shema Yisroel, you are about to do battle today with your enemies. Have no fear in your hearts, do not be frightened, do not scurry about and do not flee from before them. HaShem, your G-d, goes with you to fight with your enemies and save you” (Deut. 20:3-4). Until here does the Anointed for War speak. A subordinate Kohen now broadcasts this message to the people in a loud voice. The Anointed for War again speaks and says, “Is there a man here who has built a new home and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house lest he die in battle and another man dedicate it. Is there a man here who has planted a vineyard and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house lest he die in battle and another man use its fruit. Is there a man here who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battle and another man take her” (Deut. 20:5-7). Until here does the Anointed for War speak. Then a⁵⁵Lit., the. marshal broadcasts this message to the people in a loud voice. The marshal himself then speaks and says, “Is there a man here who is afraid and weak of heart?” (Deut. 20:8). Another officer then broadcasts this to the people.