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Targum Yonatan applies the prohibition to all of the nation’s leaders because having too many horses causes haughtiness, decreased involvement in Torah, and, ultimately, the need for exile, including to Egypt. Rashi explains that when a king looks to obtain more horses, he sends officials to Egypt, and that is forbidden. The Ramban argues, citing the Yerushalmi, that it is actually permitted to visit Egypt on a commercial mission.
Therefore, the Ramban, like the Rambam, views obtaining too many horses and living in Egypt as independent prohibitions. The Sefer Hachinuch (#499), though, follows Rashi’s approach that avoiding Egypt is the rationale for the prohibition on horses.
In Tzofnat Yeshayahu (pp. 99-101), I humbly proposed another approach. This matter is a lesson in running an independent Jewish state (of which a monarchy is just one form). The defense of the country should be based on an army of reserve soldiers, not a giant standing army. Chariots and cavalry represent a standing army because only a professional army, which trains constantly, can effectively operate such forces. They need to maintain a high level of proficiency and keep in constant connection with the specific horses so that they respond properly in battle.
A standing army has many detriments. It requires a large budget to maintain because an army is not economically productive and its upkeep and equipment is very expensive. To find the money for this purpose raises the issue that the king must not amass gold and silver (ibid. 17). Establishing a large, equipped army also detracts from one’s reliance on Hashem and even belief in Him. Yeshayahu decried this, even in the time of the righteous King Chizkiyahu: "On horses they relied and trusted their chariots and their cavalry, for they were immense, and they did not turn to the Holy One of Israel, and did not seek Hashem" (Yeshayahu 31:1).
Also, developing a close "relationship" with one’s horse likely impinges on the time and interest necessary to raise a normal family as well as to connect to the elders of his community and tribe. We would add that almost every army has an atmosphere that is less than morally inspiring. On the whole, serving in an army is an almost assured recipe for spiritual deterioration, which only choice people can overcome. Even in our days of easier transportation, it is still difficult to serve in the standing army and maintain an ideal family and spiritual life. It is only with a strong spiritual background and strong foundations that one can ensure spiritually successful service in the army.
Therefore, officers in the regular army, including graduates of yeshivot hesder and mechinot k’dam tzvai’ot, deserve our great thanks for the sacrifices they make, in these regards as well. May their sacrifices remain only in the realm of preparedness and may they not be needed to fight in the near future.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
