The [Kohen] Anointed for Battle, when he addresses the people, speaks in the Holy Tongue, as it is said (Deut. 20:2): And it shall be when you draw near the battle, that the Kohen shall approach —- this refers to the Kohen Anointed for Battle; and shall address the people —- in the Holy Tongue. And he shall say to them, “Hear, O Israel, you draw near to battle this day against your enemies” —- [it is] not against your brothers [that you go]. [This will] not [be like] Judah against Simeon, nor [like] Simeon against Benjamin, who, if you fall into their hands, will have mercy upon you, as it is said (II Chronicles 28:15): And the men who have been mentioned by name rose up and took the captives, and clothed all that were naked among them out of the spoil; and they dressed them and shod them and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them and transported all the feeble among them on donkeys and brought them to Jericho, the city of palms, to their brothers; and they returned to Samaria. [Rather,] it is against your enemies that you go, who, if you fall into their hands, will have no mer-cy upon you. Let not your heart become faint, do not fear, nor become terrified, etc.” (Deut. 20:3): Let not your heart be-come faint —- from the neighing of the horses and the flashing of the swords; do not fear —- at the clanging of the shields and [at the sight of] the multitude of soldiers; nor become terrified —- at the sound of trumpets; nor broken —- from the sound of shouting. For HASHEM your God is He Who goes with you (Deut. 20:4) —- they come [trusting] in the victory of flesh and blood, but you come [trust- ing] in the victory of the Almighty. The Philistines came [trusting] in the victory of Goli-ath. What was his end? In the end, he fell by the sword and they fell with him. The Ammonites came [trusting] in the victory of Shovach. What was his end? In the end he fell by the sword and they fell with him. But not so are you. For HASHEM your God is He Who goes with you, to fight for you, etc. (ibid.) —- this refers to the camp with the Ark [in its midst].

And the officers shall speak to the people saying: “Who is the man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, etc.” (Deut. 20:5) —- it is all the same whether he builds a barn, stable, woodshed, or store-house; it is all the same whether he builds, buys, inherits, or [has] it given to him as a gift.  And who is the man who has planted a vineyard and not yet redeemed its [fruit], etc. (Deut. 20:6) —- it is all the same whether one plants a vineyard or plants five fruit trees, even if they are of five species; it is all the same whether he plants, layers, or grafts; and it is all the same whether he buys, inherits, or [has] it given to him as a gift.  And who is the man who has betrothed a woman, etc. (Deut. 20:7) —- it is all the same whether he betroths a virgin, or a widow, or [has] a sister-in-law who awaits [his] yibum; and even if he heard in battle that his brother died, he returns home.  All these in the battle ranks hear the words of the Kohen and return home to supply water and food, and to repair the roads.