Want to win? Embrace the first verse of this week's parsha - "For you will go out to war against your enemy.".
When we go to war with the clear knowledge that we are "on" the enemy and not in front of or against him - victory is guaranteed. By the way, in Elul it is easier to fight and overcome the urge, but that is a matter for another column.
The Torah also instructs us, "When you build a new house... you shall make a parapet for your roof." Why new and what is a parapet and how is this commandment related to the timing of the reading of the parasha? The Torah is eternal and is in the language of instruction, meaning it is relevant to us in practice, even if the last new house we built was from Lego when we were eight years old.
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At this time of year, there are many new beginnings, the new year is approaching, and the Holy Torah wants us to remember that when we reach a new stage in life, we cannot be content with the old boundaries and restrictions; we must build a new and stable railing so that those who fall from it will not fall...
We must add good decisions and better protect ourselves from the danger of falling. We must add a mitzvah to the letter of the law and not be satisfied with the old railing.
Highlight the positive
It is not populist in this time to compliment teachers, principals, educators, schools, and seminaries who shape the fate and future of girls for personal, economic, racist, or even spiritual reasons...
I wouldn't want to get into this political mess. The problem was and will remain whether I write about it or not.
but...
I have something to say to those parents who are bringing this story out into the media, especially the general media. Every year at this time of year we witness a multitude of articles, columns, and news reports about girls who are left at home, about "evil" seminary directors who expel students from their schools for irrelevant considerations.
It infuriates me too. I too have difficulty understanding the connection between the origin of the girls' parents and the educational institution. I too sometimes ask myself what the connection is between the length of the mother's hair and the talents and qualities of the daughter.
but...
If we're already running out to the general media, why not tell about the uniqueness of Haredi education, about the dedication of teachers with zero budget and in stale classrooms without air conditioning? Why not tell about the quality of learning and memorization of the students of the TAT that results in them being able to later complete a full matriculation in nine months?
Why not tell about the respect and decency that characterize the schools, rooms, seminars, and yeshivas? Why not talk about the average grades of the Haredi girls? (As a reminder, only 50 percent of state school students pass the matriculation exam in Israel).
To win and take prisoners
With your permission, I will return to the beginning of the story. "For you will go out to war for Your enemies, And the Lord your God will give In your hands"". The verse begins in the singular (go forth), changes to the plural (your enemies), returns to the singular (and we gave you) and changes again to the plural (in your hands). It is about a constant war that a Jew is called upon to wage. A war against enemies who threaten his body and soul.
You must always remember that we are "above" your enemies. We are not alone, God our God is with us, and with Him, blessed be He, there is no difference between enemies.
Both the physical – ISIS, Hamas, the Arab Authority, European countries, and more, and the spiritual – the evil inclination, lust, the world and its temptations, which constitute the root of all physical enemies, are but one enemy with God, the Almighty, and he is the one who promises us, "And the Lord your God will deliver us into your hand.".
With the power of our hands, with the power of our actions, we can win, not only win but even "break its captivity," turning evil itself into good until an evil angel answers against his will. Amen – the Lord, the God of Israel, is King and His kingdom in all its glory.
• Part of the column is adapted from the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
The writer is the owner of "My Choice", an event host, lecturer and radio broadcaster: [email protected]
