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By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin
This week’s parsha, Ki Seitzei, opens with the pasuk, “Ki Seitzei la’milchama al oy’vecha, When you go out to war against your enemies…” (Devarim 21:10). The Torah acknowledges that war happens, at times inevitable.
I recently saw a clip from British author and journalist Douglas Murray, who tells of being asked by one of the Nova survivors, what would he have done if October 7 happened in his country.
Murray responded that it did happen in Europe, it happened in the West, albeit on a different scale. It happened in Paris, Toulouse, Mumbai, Manchester, Copenhagen and Orlando. Murray powerfully stated, “Too many mistake the victim for people who can’t restrain themselves from targeting Jews. They confuse those who fight terrorism, with those who dream it and bring up their children to love it from the cradle. It was Hamas who started the war, but the world has forgotten. They have been fooled by Hamas propaganda to imagining that Israel is the aggressor.”
Ki seitzei la’milchama. However painful war is, at times we must take a stand for the security and safety of our nation. Murray spoke of the Jewish people, a nation to whom Europe is indebted. Not just for all the bloodshed upon its earth, but for what the Jewish people have contributed to civilization. “… For the richness of culture, learning, and faith that the Jews have brought to our civilization.”
As we approach the one-year mark since the start of the war, Douglas Murray’s words need to be heard.
While the parsha addresses the perils of physical war, the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh, Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, teaches that the pasuk also addresses a different battle. A battle each of us face every day in varying degrees. The battle against the yetzer hara, the evil inclination, the urge to get us off the path.
The Ohr HaChaim notes that the Torah doesn’t state l’milchama, to war, but instead uses the word “la’milchama”, meaning “the war”. For the war is the well-known battle of inner forces.
At times, it is a battle against the inner voice that says “I can’t”. A voice that comes to bother us time and time again. From I can’t stick to a healthy diet, I can’t keep up with an exercise program, or I can’t get into a good sleep routine. A voice that says I can’t commit to daily davening, to making time for Torah study, to keeping Shabbos properly. I can’t control my temper, I can’t deal with the kids, I can’t handle life. We tell ourselves, it’s not my problem, let someone else worry about it, I’m too tired, too busy, too old, too young, I’ve done mine.
The yetzer hara is relentless. It doesn’t give up, but keeps on coming up with new excuses. Excuses that may make sense, but are excuses nonetheless.
Waging war against that inner voice is a tough battle – but it is doable. The pasuk continues, “U’nesano HaShem E’lokecha b’yadecha, And HaShem will deliver (the enemy) into your hands”. HaShem doesn’t abandon us, we only have to take that first step and turn to Him.
The Talmud teaches “Haba l’taheir mesayin oso, One who desires to purify and elevate himself will be given Divine assistance”.
But how do we get started? How does one flick the switch from can’t to can? Here, too, we turn to the Talmud for sage advice. The Talmud suggests a strategy to combat the yetzer hara. Although “Yitzro shel adam misgaber olov b’chol yom, A man’s yetzer hara attempts to overpower him each and every day… moshcheihu l’beis hamedrash, drag him (the yetzer hara) to the bais medrash…” Join a Torah class. Study with a Torah partner. As the learning penetrates our hearts, and we are enveloped in a Torah environment, we become empowered to make the switch.
The Midrash to Shir HaShirim teaches, that HaShem turns to Am Yisroel and says, “Pischu li pesach k’chudo shel machat, v’Eftach lachem pesach k’pischo shel ulam, Give me a small opening, like the eye of a needle, and I will extend it wide open.” One only has to take the initiative, to take the first step, and HaShem is there is help us.
The parshiyos read during the month of Elul, give us a timely message. A message that helps prepare us for Rosh HaShana.
Elul is a time to believe in yourself. To make the switch. To say I can. To battle with the yetzer hara and win.
I think of the legacy my mother, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis a”h, left behind. No matter where life took her, no matter how difficult the circumstances, she always said “I can”. From her days as young girl in Bergen-Belsen, she was on a mission. My zeide zt”l gave her a job – to smile. Perhaps, a little girl with a smile on her face, will bring hope to someone. It will brighten the life of a person who may feel lost, alone, struggling, not seeing a path forward in life.
When my mother arrived as an immigrant, not knowing the language and not being familiar with the culture, once again she said “I can”. She began first grade at twelve years old, but learned quickly, and soon joined girls her own age.
While the years ahead came with many blessings, my mother also had her share of hardship, yet always forged ahead. In her later years, even though she suffered from illness, my mother continued her writing, lecturing and teaching. In her last months, she even undertook to write a book. Can’t wasn’t part of her vocabulary. I never heard my mother say I’m too tired, weak or sick. I already did mine, taught classes, and authored books. It was always, what more can I do to serve HaShem and be there for His people.
This is the lesson of Elul. HaShem is giving us a month to flick the switch. To go from I can’t to I can. To win the battle with our inner voice.
The coming year, 5785, in the Hebrew language is ת-tuf, ש-shin, פ-pei, ה-hei. Perhaps it can be an acronym for ת-tehei ש-shenat פה-peh, let it be a year of peh, meaning mouth. A year of us using our power of speech, our sincere and heartfelt prayer to turn to HaShem and say, “I can”. Let’s take the first step, and in that merit, HaShem will surely do the rest.
Shabbat Shalom!
Chaya Sora
Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]
This article was written L’zecher Nishmas/In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l
