On the international stage, this week has been very interesting and even troubling. Concluding a war is never a neat, simple, and organized endeavor. As we watch the news, listen to retired Generals, Intelligence Directors, and other experts and as we see the images coming out of Afghanistan, we are reminded that ending a war is never easy. There are always refugees, there are always those trying to “get out” and make their way toward the “West”. Chaos always seems to overwhelm the most vulnerable, and the side that is leaving the battlefield. When writing about or discussing the conclusion of wars, especially in the Middle East, Tom Friedman, the New York Times columnist, and author explains that there is the “morning-after” and the “morning after the morning after”. The former speaks of the chaos that ensues when the war ends and the victors realize they are the victors. The latter speaks of the chaos that ensues when the victors now realize that as the victors, they are responsible for rebuilding, governing, and ending the chaos. Of course, whether talking about the “morning-after” or the “morning after the morning after”; one thing is very clear. It is much easier to start a war than to conclude one with dignity, grace, minimize chaos, and loss of life.
This week's Torah portion is Ki Teitzei. Moshe continues with listing laws such as rights of the firstborn for an inheritance, the wayward rebellious son, lost and found property, sending a mother bird from the nest when procuring the egg from the nest, tzitzit, false accusations, forbidden marriages, charging interest, divorce, workers’ rights to timely payment, honesty in weights and measures and remembering Amalek. That is just to name a few. All these laws reflect one extremely relevant idea. Judaism is not just a ritualized religion that takes on import three times a year, or only at life cycle events. Judaism is a way of life.
Anything, any idea that is considered to be a “way of life” must be relevant in two places, in the home (a sanctuary) and outside the home where life is much less ideal than the home/sanctuary. Certainly, we can read the first verse as Moshe’s instructions regarding the appropriate manner to behave while fighting a war. Ki Teitzeh LaMilchama Al Oyvecha UnTano Adoshem Elokecha B’Yadecha - When you will go out to war against your enemies, and Hashem, your God will deliver him [your enemies] into your hand (Deut. 10:11). Yes, Moshe's presentation of these laws suggests that there is an inevitability about going out to wage war. Rashi clarifies by explaining that this B’Milchemet HaRashut-an optional war. The sages explained that biblically speaking, an “optional war” is any war other than a war of the conquest of the Land of Canaan and the war against Amalek. Those wars are not optional but rather the fulfillment of a direct commandment. According to Sforno (the great Italian Renaissance commentator), “an optional'' war is any war outside Israel or political war.” Sforno’s comment is fascinating because it forces us to understand Moshe’s statement about Ki Tetzei La Milchama from a figurative and perhaps even a spiritual dimension. Moshe is speaking to “you” in the singular, “you” the individual. The Torah never said that he was addressing only the army. Each and every one of “you” wages a war of Reshut, an optional war. The individual “You” wages war against inner demons, against peer pressure, against that which is convenient and easy. “You” the individual wages a war against the monotony of routine. One thing is for certain, from Moshe’s perspective, war is waged upon Ki Teitzeh upon “going out”, leaving the “friendly confines”, leaving the “nest”, leaving the warmth and safety of the home and a sanctuary and contending with the world.
The Sages understand that going to war should never be taken lightly. It is not enough to consider all the reasons to go to war; one must also consider the “morning after” and the “morning after the morning after”, meaning the “peace”. Certainly, Torah is not so naive to think that war can always be avoided. However, like everything in the Torah, there is a way to deal with mankind's most destructive and animal-like instincts and elevate the human spirit to something more. Reading Ki Teitzeh in a figurative manner reminds us that whenever we are confronted with any conflict, we must always understand that we will have to confront the aftermath of that conflict, “the morning after” and the “morning after the morning after”. As a result, We can deal with the aftermath of a conflict the same way we deal with conflict, in the heat of emotion or we can choose to deal with the aftermath of a conflict with a cool thoughtful demeanor with an eye towards a constructive future. Whether it is our own lives or Afghanistan only time will tell
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