For the source text click/tap here: Sotah 43
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As we learned on yesterday’s daf, people who were involved in various activities were not obligated to serve as soldiers in a milhemet reshut – a war of choice.
The Mishna states: One, who builds a house, betroths a woman, or plants a vineyard is exempt from going to battle. There are various reasons to explain these exemptions:
The Rashbam states: These people are similar to the ones who are faint of heart. They are concerned that they will not merit inaugurating their house, marrying their wife, or redeeming their vineyard. They are scared that they will die during battle and are therefore exempt from going to war.
The Ibn Ezra explains: These people are preoccupied with their desire to inaugurate their house, marrying their wife, or redeeming their vineyard, and will therefore not pay attention completely to the war. This will cause them to retreat during the heat of the battle and will constitute a danger to the remainder of the army. The Mishna enumerates all the various people that may return from the battle.
We explore military exemptions.