This week’s Torah portion begins by describing a situation that most of us, thankfully, will find far removed from our personal experience.
Deuteronomy 21:10 starts: “When you take the field against your enemies (כִּי־תֵצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה עַל־אֹיְבֶיךָ)…” and goes on to detail some of the rules of warfare that our ancient Israelite ancestors were called to observe.
During the many centuries when we lacked the means to defend ourselves, the commentators began to interpret this verse creatively in order to keep it relevant to our lived experience. They suggested that the “enemy” we are to battle is much more intimate: our own selves.
During this time of preparation for the Days of Awe, I find this take on that verse especially helpful. We are invited to reflect on the aspects of our own character that we need to fight against in order to become our best selves. We are called to consider what urges and inclinations we need to battle so that we can be kinder, more compassionate, and more just.
Every day, suggest the sages, we have the opportunity to “take the field” against the worst parts of our own being. If we are being honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that in the ongoing, unending process of striving for holiness, we have hard work to do.
Sometimes our enemies are “out there,” threatening us from afar. But often that which is likely to cause us the most pain is our own behavior, our own flaws, our own missteps. Now is the time to take on the ugliest aspects of ourselves so that we can do better and be better.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yoshi