Parashat Ki Teitzei: Embracing Life's Battles with Holiness (2020)

Good morning! As we draw closer to Rosh Hashanah, I want to bring you words of encouragement and guidance from this week's Parashat Ki Teitzei. We've often spoken about the importance of this Parasha, which contains 74 mitzvot – positive commands and prohibitions covering every facet of life: laws of war, civil disputes, marriage, divorce, caring for workers and animals, honest business dealings, and more. Today, I'd like to focus on themes connected to Chodesh Elul and the month of Teshuvah.

The Parasha begins with one mitzvah and continues with many. This teaches us a vital lesson: Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah – one mitzvah leads to another. Start with one positive step, and you'll find it leads to a powerful, positive direction in life.

"Ki Teitzei LaMilchama": The War of Life and Overcoming the Yetzer Hara

The Parasha opens: "Ki Teitzei LaMilchama Al Oyvecha" – "When you go out to war against your enemy." The Hebrew uses Ki Teitzei (singular for "you") and Oyvecha (plural for "enemies"), then "U'Netano Hashem Elokecha Bi'Yadecha" (Hashem your God will deliver them into your hand), implying victory over a single enemy. Our Sages teach that this isn't just about physical wars, but about the specific war of life.

• The Inner Struggle: Our entire life is a profound struggle. We are born with the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination), and later the Yetzer Tov (good inclination) develops. This is a constant internal battle. The Yetzer Hara appears in many forms and has many names, often subtle, like "indifference" (Svoni), which can lead us to sin despite our good intentions. We resolve to be calm, not to get angry, but during the year, we lose our cool. Why? The Yetzer Hara pushes us in various ways.

• Amalek: The Power of Doubt and Procrastination: Towards the end of the Parasha, we encounter the command to erase Amalek. Amalek, who attacked Bnei Yisrael after they left Egypt, represents the forces of impurity. He symbolizes the power of doubt. When Bnei Yisrael questioned, "Is Hashem among us?" Amalek attacked. Like the serpent (representing the Yetzer Hara) who instilled doubt in Chava, Amalek creates uncertainty, leading us to sin.

  • The "Ayin" of Ayef: The Yetzer Hara tells us we're "tired" (Ayef) – "Don't say 10 chapters of Tehillim, say two; you're too busy to visit the sick."

  • The "Mem" of Mahar: He urges us to "procrastinate" (Mahar) – "Do it tomorrow." This is why many difficult things we intend to do are pushed off.

  • The "Lamed" of Lo Yachol: He whispers, "You are incapable" (Lo Yachol) – "You can't overcome this challenge." This is false; Hashem gives us the strength to overcome.

  • The "Kuf" of Kashe: He makes us think it's "too hard" (Kashe) – preparing Shabbat, hosting guests. Life can be hard, but we must persevere.

• The Unyielding Fly: The Yetzer Hara is compared to a fly – persistent, never giving up. But the pasuk reassures us: "U'Netano Hashem Bi'Yadecha" – Hashem promises to help us overcome the Yetzer Hara if we don't give up, find new energy, and pray for help. It is not impossible!

Regaining Control: The Captive Woman & The Rebellious Son

The law of the female prisoner of war is complex. It shows Torah's understanding of human psychology in extreme circumstances. A soldier, far from home, might act impulsively. The Torah acknowledges this raw desire but provides strict conditions for conversion and marriage. Hashem understands our struggles and temptations, offering a path to regain control and follow His rules.

The law of the Ben Sorer U'Moreh (rebellious son) highlights the critical importance of listening, especially in Elul. This 13-year-old son steals, drinks, and disobeys. The Torah dictates he must be put to death because, if he continues on this path, he will become a murderer. Why is the Torah so strict, implying he won't do Teshuvah? His parents tell the Beit Din (court): "Einenu Shome'a B'Koleinu" – "He does not listen to our voice." They don't say he stole; they say he doesn't listen.

• The Key to Teshuvah: Listening: When a person closes their ears to positive influence, refusing to let anything penetrate their heart, hope for the future diminishes. The path to Teshuvah is Shma Yisrael – "Listen, Israel." On Rosh Hashanah, we hear the Kol Shofar (voice of the shofar). We must open our ears and hearts to its message.

• Hashem's Voice: Hashem speaks to us in many ways: pandemics, storms, tragedies. Are we listening to these wake-up calls? "If we listen to Hashem, then Hashem will listen to us." When we stop listening, we lose the connection. Our ears are soft, not covered, so we may always retain our ability to hear.

• Yishmael: The Power to Listen: On Rosh Hashanah, we read about Ishmael. Though he became wicked, Hashem saved him when Hagar cried out in the desert. Why? Because the name "Yishmael" contains Shmuah (listening). Avraham Avinu prayed that his descendants would always have the power to listen. This power spared his life.

Sanctity of the Camp: Maintaining Holiness in Our Homes

Another vital law in Ki Teitzei concerns the sanctity of the military camp. Soldiers had to maintain extreme cleanliness, relieving themselves outside the camp and covering waste. "Ki Mahaneh Kadosh Hu" – "For your camp shall be holy."

• Holiness in Every Detail: No other constitution or civilization emphasizes such detail about maintaining the purity of an encampment. For Hashem, every detail of life is important, including physical and moral purity.

• Hashem Walks Among Us: The Torah explains: "Ki Hashem Elokecha Mit'halech B'Kerev Machanecha" – "For Hashem your God walks in the midst of your camp, to save you and to deliver your enemies before you."

  • Our Sages derive a powerful message from the initial letters of "L'Hatzilecha" (to save you) and "LaTet Oyvecha L'Fanecha" (to deliver your enemies before you) – Aleph Lamed Vav Lamed, spelling ELUL.

  • This is Hashem's promise for Elul: If we preserve the sanctity and Kedushah of our homes – how we dress, what we look at, what we listen to – Hashem will remain with us, help us overcome struggles, and protect our holiness.

This Elul, let's strive to overcome the Yetzer Hara by refusing procrastination and acknowledging our strength. Let's open our ears and hearts to Hashem's voice, and bring greater Kedusha into our homes. Just as Rabbi Aryeh Levine showed love and understanding to the cafe owner, leading him to close for Shabbat, may we bring more love and positivity into our interactions, leading to more and more light.

Have a wonderful Shabbos! My love to all of you from Antwerp.