We find a curious pattern in the Torah: Hashem first promises
victory to Klal Yisroel and then cautions them not to
panic. For instance he assures us (Devorim 20:2):
""When you go out to war against your enemy and you see horse
and chariot, a great multitude of people who outnumber you,
do not fear them because Hashem, your G-d, is with you
— Who brought you up from the land of Egypt." After
this assurance Hashem warns them (Devorim 20:3): " . .
..Listen O Israel, today you are close to battle against your
enemies; let your heart not be faint; do not panic; and do
not fall into despair before them."
Yet the following question arises: Hashem stated, "He will be
with them in the battle." If Hashem pledged to deliver them,
what difference does it make whether they are frightened or
not?
Rather, the Torah reveals an axiomatic principle concerning
faith. Specifically, Divine assistance is predicated upon our
preparation, i.e., we must actively strengthen our hearts
with faith in Hashem. If we fall into panic and despair as a
result of not preparing, then we will not merit Divine
assistance. Accordingly, the Torah tells us to first prepare
our heart by strengthening our faith in Hashem — and
His promise — before going to battle.
The Chovos Halevovos (Chapter 5, Yichud
Hama'aseh) writes, "It is important to know that your
greatest enemy is the yetzer hora . . .The most
powerful of its weapons is that it attempts to sow doubts in
your mind regarding true concepts and to confuse you in what
had been clear to you. It endeavors to introduce false ideas
into your mind, trying to undermine your faith and belief. If
you will be on guard against it and prepare an arsenal of
true ideals to fight against it, you will be saved and
delivered from it, with G-d's help. Therefore, do not let any
other struggle divert you from your struggle with it . .
..The yetzer hora will be quick to obey you and will
not stand up to you when you stand up to it, as stated in the
Torah (Bereishis 4:7): `You can conquer it.'
Therefore, do not be intimidated by it, even though it has
great armies — for its primary intention is to make
falsehood out of truth."
In summation, the human being is engaged in a fierce battle
between faith in Hashem and non-belief. The yetzer hora
takes aim and shoots poisonous arrows of doubt, trying to
shatter the pillars of our faith. What defense does mortal
man have in the face of such a terrifying onslaught launched
by such a powerful, relentless enemy?
The Chovos Halevovos teaches us that the primary defense
against the infiltration of the yetzer hora's weapons
of falsehood is for us to prepare in advance a solid fortress
of true belief in Hashem. These weapons of truth that are
formed by our intellect will easily and swiftly neutralize
the machinations of the yetzer hora.
Yet, we might ask, "Is it so easy to enter the chamber of
truth? How do we find the elusive path that leads us from
darkness to light? What specific thoughts enlighten us to
grasp the clear, unyielding belief in the existence of
Hashem; to realize the special favor that He holds for
Klal Yisroel; and to be cognizant of our obligation to
serve Him?"
In truth, contrary to conventional assumption, belief in
Hashem is neither complicated nor difficult to attain.
Rather, belief in Hashem is simple and obvious. For instance,
if someone would claim that a common sewing needle made
itself, we would say he is foolish. What's more, if he would
claim that an intricate instrument, like a watch, came into
being without the involvement and the intention of a
craftsman, his notion would be considered even more foolish
and ridiculous.
In this light, when we observe the complexity of the
universe: the exact course of each one of the countless
stars, as well as the perfect order of the microscopic world
of atoms, how much untenable is the idea that the cosmos
formed themselves without a Creator. Without a trace of
doubt, Hashem created the world, organized it — and
rules it according to His will.
In addition, the ancient philosophers concluded, based on
three logical proofs, that the world did not randomly emerge
but rather was intentionally created. The first is the
multiplicity of every entity that exists. Second is that the
world is a perfectly appropriate environment for all of its
inhabitants. And last is the harmonious and utilitarian
interaction between the various entities and elements.
The contemplation of these ideas, as well as the knowledge
that each Jewish soul experienced the revelation of Hashem at
Mount Sinai, builds the very foundation of truth. When we
direct our intellect to grasp these irrefutable truths, we
will realize that we owe our blessed existence to Hashem
Yisborach.
Imagine that a doctor could create an organ, such as a heart
or an eye. Whoever benefited from his services, i.e.,
received a leg or brain, would be eternally indebted to him.
How much more so — when we recognize the wondrous
loving kindness that our Creator continuously showers upon
us, we will be inspired to serve Him and fulfill the Torah
and mitzvos.
If Hashem did not create man with a yetzer hora that
has the power to induce even the greatest man to commit
serious transgressions, there would be no place for reward
and punishment. However, if the person prepares weapons of
truth to battle the flames of falsehood of the yetzer
hora, he will vanquish the yetzer hora and advance
to a continuously higher level of ruchniyus. In His
compassion, Hashem has made it easy for man to utilize his
intellect to attain clarity of faith in Hashem, as we have
explained.
However, besides the intellectual preparation there is
another indispensable factor that enables us to stand up to
the attacks of the yetzer hora. Namely, we must not
rely on our own intelligence to defeat the yetzer hora
because it is far more powerful than any strategy or
force at our disposal. Therefore, we must rely solely on
Hashem for success.
On one hand, we make our preparations. Yet on the other hand
we know and have faith that it is only Hashem Who gives us
the strength and protection to conquer the yetzer hora.
King Solomon expressed this idea in Mishlei, "The
horse is readied for battle, and the deliverance comes from
Hashem" (Mishlei 21:31).
If we incorporate both the preparation of weapons of truth as
well as unwavering faith in our strategy, we will be assured
of Divine assistance in our battle against the yetzer
hora.
The Midrash Rabboh (Bereishis 22) presents a parable
that illustrates the bogus strength of the yetzer hora:
"There was an armed, feeble bandit who used to sit at the
crossroads and steal from the wayfarers. Once, a clever man
encountered him and realized that he was feeble. He fought
the thief and easily overcame him." So too, the power of the
yetzer hora is superficial and weak.
If we wage a continuous battle against the yetzer hora
through: (1) building intellectual foundations of truth, and
(2) relying on Hashem, then we will merit receiving the
blessing of Hashem and we will emerge victorious.
This article is adapted from the writings of the Alter of
Kelm, HaRav Simchah Zissel Ziv.
