Conquest of Canaan

Joshua, Crossing the Jordan, Partition of the Land, Joshua's Admonition

Two days before the conclusion of the thirty-day mourning period following the passing of Moses on Adar 7 (see Jewish History for the 7th of Nissan), Joshua dispatched two scouts--Caleb and Pinchas--across the Jordan River to Jericho, to gather ...

Three days after the two spies dispatched by Joshua scouted the city of Jericho (see entry for "Nissan 7" above), the children of Israel were ready to enter the land promised by G-d to their ancestors as their eternal heritage. As they approached the ...

Traditionally, the linear, male method of "conquering the land" has been perceived as superior and more effective. But the daughters of Tzelafchad realized that there will come a time when humanity will evolve to a more feminine mode of conquest...

The fledgling nation which left Egypt was in its spiritual infancy, and a return to the bankrupt values of the depraved Egyptian lifestyle was a real risk. War, therefore, had to be postponed for some time...

The Canaanites are powerful, yet we should not fear them, Moses pleads. What relevence does this enjoinder have in the 21st century?

Classic Questions Did the tribe of Levi have to fight? (v. 4) Rashi: [The words] "all the tribes" come to include the tribe of Levi. Rambam: Why did the tribe of Levi not merit a portion in the Land of Israel and its spoils, as their brothers did? ...

Classic Questions Did Re'uvain and Gad's descendants not want to join their brothers at war? What did Moshe reply? (v. 2ff.) Ramban: Moshe suspected that they were scared to fight, like the spies (see above 13:31), so he accused them of lacking trust in ...

Is it possible to fit the land of Israel in one’s hand?

Why were the tribes of Re'uvain and Gad told to go ahead of the other Jewish people into battle? (v. 18)