Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

Going out to war

"When you go out to war against your enemies and G-d your G-d will give him into your hand…" (21, 10)

The verse that opens our Parsha "When you go out to war" is said in the singular in order to each us that we can defeat our enemies only through unity, as our Sages ob'm taught, "The generation of Achav – they all were idol worshippers but because there was no strife amongst them (they lived in unity) they used to win in the war."

Our Sages also said, "A person should not say – Who am I, what strength do I have, what is my courage worth against my many enemies who stand against me".

The Torah therefore taught us, "When you go out to war" – in the singular – Even if you are a single person and the enemy is the Evil Inclination that comes to you in various odd manners – seen and unseen, by day and by night, at home and outside – a person must gather his strength and go out to war against this enemy and then – "and G-d your G-d will give him into your hand".

For a person must initiate and go out to war against him (in prayers, Torah learning and good deeds) and should not sit with his arms folded waiting, G-d forbid, for the enemy –the Evil Inclination – to jump on him; rather he should outsmart him and go out to fight him in due time.

SHABBAT SHALOM!!