What must the enemy agree to for Israel to make peace with them?
Peace requires accepting both tribute (labor and financial service to the king) and subjugation (never holding authority over Jews). Accepting only one is insufficient.
Question 2
What is the rule when besieging a city?
A siege must leave one side open for those who wish to flee. The Oral Tradition derives this from Numbers 31:7 — 'they besieged Midian as God commanded Moses.'
Question 3
What is the halachic status of cutting a fruit tree with destructive intent?
Cutting a fruit tree with destructive intent is a Torah prohibition from Deuteronomy 20:19, punishable by lashes. A tree may only be cut if it damages other trees, fields, or its timber is more valuable.
Question 4
When may a siege begun before Shabbat continue on Shabbat?
Deuteronomy 20:20 says 'until you subjugate it' — implying even on Shabbat. The Rambam rules this applies to both milchemet mitzvah and milchemet reshut.
Question 5
What are the four leniencies permitted in a military camp?
The four camp leniencies are: eating demai; no pre-meal hand-washing; gathering wood freely; and no requirement for eruv chatzeirot (as long as a 10-handbreadth barrier surrounds the camp).