DEUT980 We must do everything possible to protect people from being shamed. The Torah (verses 2-8) states that before the Jewish Army went to war it was announced that certain categories of people should return home: he who has built a new house, but has not dedicated it; he who has planted a vineyard but has not partaken from the fruits; he who has betrothed a wife, but has not taken her. In verse eight, a fourth category is mentioned: he who is fearful and fainthearted should also return home. Rabbi Yosi Haglili explains (Sotah 44a, cited by Rashi) that the fourth category refers to someone who fears that he is unworthy of being saved because of his transgressions. Rabbi Yosi adds that this is the reason why the other three categories were told to go home. If someone would leave the ranks because of his sins, he would feel embarrassed. But since other groups were also sent home, people would not know which individuals were leaving for which reasons. This is truly amazing. A large number of soldiers are sent home in wartime in order to save a sinner from humiliation. We must learn from here that we must do everything possible to protect people from shame.