Before Israel goes off to war, the Torah tells us, the officers of the army must address the people and tell them the following: Who is the man who has built a new house but has not yet inhabited it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war and another man inhabit his house. Who is the man who has planted a vineyard and has not yet harvested it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war and another man harvest it. Who is the man who has been betrothed to a woman but has yet not taken her to wife? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war and
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