Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 6

Hook

Remember those ancient texts that felt like a laundry list of 'do's and 'don'ts' – especially when it came to heavy topics like war? You weren't wrong; they often were presented that way. But what if we told you even Maimonides, writing about kings and battles, starts with a surprising call for peace? Let's take a fresh look.

Context

Forget the notion that ancient warfare was solely about conquest. This text reveals a different priority:

• Maimonides' monumental legal code (Rambam) begins its laws of warfare with a mandate for peace.
• Before any battle is waged, a peaceful settlement must be offered to the enemy, with rare exceptions.
• Even during a siege, a path for escape must always remain open – never fully trapping opponents.

Text Snapshot

"War... should not be waged against anyone until they are offered the opportunity of peace... If the enemy accepts the offer of peace... none of them should be killed." "When a siege is placed around a city... it should not be surrounded on all four sides, only on three. A place should be left for the inhabitants to flee..." "We should not cut down fruit trees outside a city... as Deuteronomy 20:19 states: 'Do not destroy its trees.' Anyone who cuts down such a tree should be lashed."

New Angle

The Default to Diplomacy

This ancient text, often perceived as rigid, surprisingly sets a default for peace. Before a single sword is drawn, a genuine offer of settlement is required. This matters because it challenges us to consider: in our own conflicts (at work, with family), what if our absolute first move was always to seek peaceful resolution, even when we feel justified in battle?

Preservation, Not Destruction (Bal Tashchit)

The command "do not destroy" (Bal Tashchit) is famous for fruit trees, but Maimonides extends it to any destructive intent – breaking objects, tearing clothes, ruining food. It's a profound call to mindful living. This matters because it's not just about physical things; it's about preserving relationships, opportunities, and even our own mental peace, rather than mindlessly tearing them down.

Low-Lift Ritual

This week, before reacting to a minor frustration (a rude email, a spilled coffee), pause for 30 seconds. Ask: "What's the 'peaceful settlement' here?" or "Am I about to 'destroy' my own calm over this?"

Chevruta Mini

• How might our daily interactions shift if we truly adopted a "default to diplomacy" mindset, even for small disagreements?
• Beyond physical objects, what "fruit trees" (relationships, personal projects, moments of joy) are you inadvertently "destroying" or neglecting, and how can you actively preserve them?

Takeaway

These ancient laws of war surprisingly prioritize peace, diplomacy, and the profound principle of "do not destroy." They invite us to bring these powerful, preservative lenses to our modern lives.