📜 Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Shoftim Sheiyni: Mitzvos relating to a king

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Sheiyni

1. Mitzvos relating to a king:

• When you arrive onto the promised land, you are to appoint a king over you like all the other nations. You are to appoint a king from whom Hashem has chosen. One may not appoint a non-Jew, or Ger, as a king.
• Horses: The king may not have too many horses, so he does not return the nation to Egypt.
• Wives: The king may not have too many wives so that his heart not go astray.
• Wealth: The king may not have too much gold and silver.
• Sefer Torah: When the king sits on his throne he is to write two copies of his own personal Sefer Torah. It is to be with him, and he is to read from it for his entire life in order so that he follows the commands. In order so his heart does not become haughty and so he may merit his children to reign under him.

Q&A on Rashi

 

📘 Rashi Q&A — Devarim 17:14–20

17:14–15 — Appointing a King

Q1. What situation does the Torah anticipate?

1. Israel will enter the Land, settle it, and request a king like the surrounding nations.

Q2. May Israel appoint a king?

1. Yes, but only according to Hashem’s choice.

Q3. Who may become king?

1. Someone from among Israel’s brethren.

Q4. Who may not become king?

1. A foreigner who is not one of Israel’s brethren.

 

17:16 — The King’s Horses

Q5. What limitation is placed on the king?

1. He may not accumulate many horses.

Q6. Why are some horses permitted?

1. He may keep those necessary for his chariots and cavalry.

Q7. Why is acquiring many horses dangerous?

1. It could lead Israel back to Egypt to obtain them.

Q8. What example does Rashi cite?

1. Solomon imported horses from Egypt.

Q9. What Divine warning is involved?

1. Israel must not return to Egypt by that route.

 

17:17 — Wives and Wealth

Q10. How many wives may a king have according to Rashi?

1. No more than eighteen.

Q11. From where is this number derived?

1. From the number of wives David had and God’s statement that more could have been added in equal amounts.

Q12. Why may the king not have many wives?

1. So his heart will not be led astray.

Q13. May the king accumulate unlimited wealth?

1. No.

Q14. How much wealth may he possess?

1. Only what is needed for the kingdom and army.

 

17:18 — The King’s Torah Scroll

Q15. What must the king write?

1. A copy of the Torah.

Q16. What does “משנה התורה” mean according to Rashi?

1. Two Torah scrolls.

Q17. Why two Torah scrolls?

1. One remains in his treasury and one accompanies him everywhere.

Q18. How does Onkelos understand “משנה”?

1. As referring to study, review, and repeated learning.

 

17:19 — Lifelong Torah Study

Q19. What must the king do with his Torah scroll?

1. Keep it with him and read from it constantly.

Q20. Why?

1. To learn fear of Hashem.

Q21. What else will it help him do?

1. Safeguard and properly fulfill the Torah’s commandments.

Q22. How does Rashi explain “the words of this Torah”?

1. Literally, the Torah itself.

 

17:20 — Humility and Lasting Kingship

Q23. What personal danger faces a king?

1. Arrogance toward his fellow Israelites.

Q24. How does Torah study protect him?

1. It keeps him humble and obedient.

Q25. What does “not deviate right or left” include?

1. Even minor instructions delivered through a prophet.

Q26. What example does Rashi bring?

1. King Saul failed to fully follow Samuel’s instruction to wait.

Q27. What was Saul’s punishment?

1. His kingdom would not endure.

Q28. What lesson does Rashi derive?

1. Even slight disobedience to a prophet’s instruction has serious consequences.

Q29. What reward is promised to an obedient king?

1. Long-lasting kingship.

Q30. What does “he and his sons” teach?

1. A qualified son has priority in inheriting the throne.