“When you go out to war against your enemy and HASHEM your G-d will give him into your hand…” (Devarim 21:10)

The Torah is only speaking against the negative inclination. (Rashi)

“Wage war with strategies.” (Mishlei 20:18)

When a camp goes out against your enemies, you shall beware of everything evil. (Devarim 23:10)

It seems that Rashi is telling us that the Torah is not only speaking about an actual war but a battle against one’s own Yetzer Hora. Based on the Chovos HaLevavos, that actually is the real BIG WAR, and an actual war, as brutal and bloody and hazardous as it may be, is a Moshol, and a metaphor for what goes on with us, internally and externally, constantly, daily, and throughout our entire existence.

He tells the story of a towering war hero, a giant general, that was passing through a cheering crowd, celebrating having just conquered many continents. As the masses were showering him with their adoration, an old wise man delivered a comment that caught his attention, “Now, that you finished with the small war, prepare for the big war!” The general halted the parade to respond, “I just vanquished multiple countries militarily! What big war?!” The elderly wise man retorted pointedly, “The battle with yourself!”

This should not surprise us. The Mishne in the 4th Perek of Pirke Avos asks rhetorically, “Who is the strong person?!” We might be tempted to plug in the name of someone of lofty stature, a powerful well-known personality that is prominent in politics and/or even sports. Everyone tends to be amazed when we hear about their human frailties and foibles, the minor and major flaws in their character, when they inevitably show up. The Mishne offers its own answer which aligns neatly with the story of the general and the wise man, “Who is the strong person? The one who controls himself!”

With that in mind we can appreciate an elegant and powerfully practical piece of Sefas Emes on the verse, “When a camp goes out against your enemies…” He quotes a Medrash that says, “Don’t go out except as part of a “MACHENEH” – a camp”. He explains the mechanics, showing us why it is so important to be part of a group?

“Even though every individual has his own private battle with his own Yetzer hora, he should join himself to be a part of KLAL Yisrael, the entirety of Israel. His intention should be that all of Israel, the general group, should be successful in their war for HASHEM’s sake. Since the group, the team, is dependent on the success of every individual, like a body is reliant on the health of every cell, limb, and organ, so, he is then going out to war with his personal and individual struggles, with the power of the Tzibur, the community to assist him in his private fight.”

Like that, one cannot lose! He has the strength of a group to help him in his own personal battles with the Yetzer Hora. Now, perhaps, we can appreciate even more the advice of the sages, “Don’t separate yourself from the community!” It is vitally important to join one’s self to a community and to be a contributing member. It adds to the members extra strength, which includes Heavenly Help, the Siata D’Shemaya of being a part of Klal Yisrael. This is, for certain, a winning strategy. No one can afford to fight the battles of life alone, in isolation.

All seems to be hinging upon a shift in thinking. That makes the whole difference here. It’s not necessarily about location, membership to a particular club, rank, or job description. Rabbi Avigdor Miller, ztl. commented on the Mishne from Sanhedrin that crowns each Chapter in Pirke Avos, “ALL ISRAEL have a portion in the world to come”. He said, “It’s only if they are a part of ALL ISRAEL”. ALL of ISRAEL will be successful, and each of us needs to be a part of that!