Go forth a Conqueror and Win great Victories!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
In this week’s parsha of Ki Teitzei the Torah speaks about two types of war; obligatory war and optional war. What is the difference between the two? Obligatory wars refer to wars required to conquer Eretz Yisroel of to fight against Amalek. Optional wars are conducted to expand the boundaries of Eretz Yisroel. We are told in this week’s parsha that when we venture out on an optional war that we will be successful. We will be “al oyveicha” meaning victorious, above our enemies. Hashem will place the enemy in our hands and we will take them as captives.
What does this Torah portion teach us today in our daily service of Hashem? An obligatory war refers to keeping the basics of Judaism. It refers to our obligation to fulfill the mitzvos. It also includes the obligations of conduct in the world as we go about making a living and raising our families. We are obligated to be involved for the sake of Heaven and to know Hashem in all of our ways.
An optional war refers to going out of our personal and insular boundaries, meaning our religious environment, and going out into the world to lift up others and bring the world closer to Hashem. Why would we or why should we do such a thing? The world is such a lowly place and seemingly so distant from having a receptive aptitude towards Hashem, the Torah and Judaism. Why bother? The answer is because the entire world belongs to Hashem and Hashem wants a dwelling place down here, specifically in the most lowly places, not only within the frum community. His glory is over the entire world. When we go out and help in the world on many levels; by creating educational and religious institutions for everyone, by doing mivtzoyim and teaching the Torah and by doing deeds of goodness and kindness we accomplish this mission. Conducting an optional war is not a job reserved for Shluchim alone. The Rebbe said that we are all Shluchim! We are all partners in completing the purpose of creation by waging optional wars and being successful.
The obvious question that many ask is; how can we possibly get involved directly and intimately with the lowliness of this world without getting swallowed up into the swamp of worldly pleasures and interests. We need humility to realize that it's not us rather it is Hashem that gives us the necessary power to succeed in our mission.
Ashreinu, how fortunate we are that we have a Rebbe that feels that Hashem really wants Moshiach and to have a dwelling place in this world.
Through our connection to the Rebbe and by the following of the Rebbe’s guidance we have the ability to exercise our option to bring Moshiach now.
A Good Shabbos