“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Pinchos
20 Tamuz 5784/ July 26, 2024
Pirkei Avos – Perek 1
ART OF WAR
In two places the Torah discusses Klal Yisroel going to battle. In
Parshas Beh’aloscha the Torah states, “When war will come to your land against
an oppressor who oppresses you, you shall sound teruos with trumpets, and you
shall be remembered before Hashem, your G-d, and you shall be saved from your
enemies” (Bamidbar 10:9).
In Parshas Ki Setzei the parsha begins, “When you will go out to war
against your enemies and Hashem, your G-d, will give them over in your hands
and you will take captives” (Devorim 20:1).
There is a glaring difference between the two mentions of war. When the
Torah writes about war in Beha’aloscha it speaks of blowing trumpets and only
then states that the nation will be victorious. In Ki Setzei however, victory
seems quite assured. The Torah is emphatic in saying that when you go out to
war you will be victorious, as if it’s a side point mentioned in passing. Why
the difference?
It’s impossible to turn back the clock and reclaim past emotions. That’s
especially true if one never actually experienced the emotions at all and is
only hearing about an emotional experience.
In May 1967 the Jewish world was seized with terrible fear. It was barely
20 years after the end of World War 2 and the Jewish world was still reeling
from the impossible devastation of the Holocaust. Nasser, the leader of Egypt,
was calling for Pan-Arabism, the unification of the Arab world with the express
goal of destroying the nascent Jewish state. He openly rallied for the Arabs to
push the Jews into the sea.
Israel was surrounded on all sides. Egypt amassed troops in the south,
Syria in the North, and Jordan in the east. In fact, Jordan had control over
the Old City of Yerushalayim since 1948 and Jordanian snipers were constantly
shooting at Jews living near the border within the New City of Yerushalayim.
Other Arab countries
sent brigades to fight alongside the Arabs surrounding Israel, including Iraq
and Saudi Arabia. The situation was dire if not hopeless. The world stood by
and preached at Israel, but Israel realized that they were isolated and alone.
Israel felt their only chance was to initiate a preemptive strike. It was
a daring move. On the morning of June 5, 1967, Israeli military aircrafts flew
low enough over the Mediterranean to avoid detection by Egyptian radar.
Bolstered by a series of extreme coincidences (pronounced miracles) the Israeli
Air Force destroyed almost the entire Egyptian fleet of planes. In the first
hours of the war Israel gained air superiority and completely changed the
trajectory of the war.
Within six days, the IDF vanquished its enemies, doubling the size of the
country and accomplishing a convincing defeat of its foes. In addition, Israel
recaptured the Old City of Yerushalayim, Chevron, and Kever Rochel.
Euphoria gripped the country bringing with it a newfound feeling of
Jewish pride. Although there were Israeli casualties, the overwhelming feeling
in the country was of excitement and newfound confidence. Many were convinced
that Moshiach’s arrival was imminent.
Six years later, on Yom Kippur 1973, Israel was caught off guard in a
surprise attack. Again, they were attacked by Syria in the North and Egypt in
the south. But this time, woefully unprepared, there were frightening advances
by the enemy along both borders. Throughout the day, as Jews stood in shul
draped in their kittels and talisos, sirens sounded, and soldiers were summoned
up to the war front.
In the first hours of the war, the road to Teveriah in the north was
almost completely breached by the enemy. They were only stopped by the bravery
and tenacity of a few tanks and soldiers who held the ill-equipped defenses
until reinforcements could arrive. We know too well what atrocities our enemies
could commit on civilians had they been able to penetrate those defenses c’v.
In the south the Egyptian army penetrated deep into the Sinai Peninsula. They
could’ve proceeded but they were convinced that it was a trap set for them by
the Israelis. The Egyptians couldn’t believe their own success.
In the first hours of
the war, defense minister Moshe Dayan quipped that the third temple – a
reference to the state of Israel – was in danger of being destroyed.
By the end of the war three weeks later, Israel had garnered greater
victories than they had in 1967. However, there was no feeling of euphoria in
1973. Instead, the country was enveloped by grief over the heavy casualties and
losses they had sustained. There was anger against the leadership who failed to
adequately prepare the country for such an event and failed to adhere to the
warning signs that the attack was imminent. As a result, the old leadership was
voted out of power after the war and a political revolution occurred, with
Menachem Begin becoming Prime Minister.
The Beis Yisroel of Ger noted the vast difference between the outcome of
the Six-Day war in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 was initiated. In 1967
Israel attacked first. In 1973 however, Israel was perilously caught by
surprise and had to defend their own land and people.
He explains that those two wars represent the two wars that the Torah
refers to. In Parshas Ki Setzei the Torah speaks of when Klal Yisroel goes out
to war, in other words, the nation is proactive and initiates the war. In that
case we are assured victory and that there will even be captives. Parshas
Beha’aloscha however, refers to a time when the nation is attacked and has to
fight a defensive war. In such a situation the situation is far more perilous
and the nation will have to employ other means to cry out to Hashem before they
can be victorious.
The Beis Yisroel adds that the same holds true in our personal ongoing
battle with our evil inclination. If we are proactive, recognize our
vulnerabilities and enact safeguards to protect our self from falling prey to
it, then victory is far more assured. If however, one maintains a laissez-faire
attitude and feels that he’ll be okay, then he is in far greater danger of
falling prey to his evil inclination. He will need far greater effort and
prayer, though he too can achieve victory.
We are all soldiers fighting an ongoing battle against an implacable foe.
“Who is the wise person? One who sees what will be born,” i.e. what will be the
likely result in his situation. The wise person fights his evil inclination
offensively. He doesn’t wait for the battle to arrive on his home turf. He
strikes first knowing that if he doesn’t the situation can be that much more
perilous.
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Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos, R’ Dani and Chani Staum |