In the Book of Joshua, when the Jewish people were surrounding the walls of the city and marching and blowing trumpets, etc. for eight days, what happened to the Sabbath (during which time Jews are prohibited from carrying in public domains)? I cannot find any rabbinical discussion on this oversight. Can you shed light on this?
You are quite correct in your question; it is an important one. The Midrash (B’reishis Rabbah 47(10)) learns that when Deuteronomy 20:20 says, regarding a besieged city, “Until it is conquered” – this means that it can be conquered even on the Sabbath. In other words, the Torah is saying that fighting a war should not, and cannot, stop for the Sabbath. In fact, the Midrash says that Jericho itself was conquered on the Sabbath.
Best wishes,
Michoel Reach