<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><i>"When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to seize it, do not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them, for from it you will eat, and you shall not cut it down; for is the tree of the field a man that it should be besieged before you?" (Devarim </i>20:19)<div>In the midst of a chapter dealing with warfare, which by definition is destructive, the Torah demands that the Jew remains conscious of the need to maintain his regard for the general welfare and cleave to his love of goodness and peace. If we try to remain good even at times that call forth our basest instincts, we will try not to waste even a mustard seed, and resultingly will be able to perfect our characters steadily. (<i>Chinuch</i>). </div></body></html>