Shoftim Perek 11

• Yiftach is the next shofet (judge.)

• Yiftach runs away from his brothers who taunted him.

• The elders locate Yiftach and ask Yiftach to lead the battle against Amon.

• The elders promise Yiftach that if he is victorious in battle he will be their leader.

• Yiftach diplomatically sends emissaries to the king of Ammon to inquire why Ammon is oppressing the Jews.

• Yiftach relates to the emissaries that all of the land that the Jews conquered was conquered in defensive wars.

• The king of Ammon is indifferent to Yiftach’s explanations.

• Yiftach makes a vow: If he is victorious in battle against Ammon, then whatever comes through his door first will be offered as a sacrifice to Hashem.

• Hashem is with Yiftach.

• Yiftach defeats Ammon in battle.

• The first thing that comes through Yiftach’s door when he returns from battle is his daughter.

• He tears his clothes.

• Yiftach’s daughter requests two months in the mountains to mourn over the fact that she never married.

• Yiftach keeps his vow.

Many commentators explain that Yiftach built a secluded house in which his daughter would live as a means of keeping his vow. This way his daughter would be dedicated solely to Hashem.