Winning the Inner Battle
In our ongoing struggle against our inner desires, we sometimes feel worn out. But those desires never tire! How can we earn this extraordinary divine assistance?
- ישיבת תורת החיים / הרב שמחה מנחם פרידמן
- פורסם י"א חשון התשע"ד
#VALUE!
"A person's evil inclination strengthens every day and seeks to kill him, and without Hashem's help, he cannot overcome it" (Sukkah 52b). Indeed, in our struggle against these inner desires, we sometimes feel a bit weary and discouraged. But our evil inclination never tires! So, how can we merit this extraordinary assistance from above?<\/div>
A similar battle, seemingly unwinnable due to the disparity between opponents, has happened before in history. When David volunteered to fight Goliath, Saul said to him, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth" (1 Samuel 17:33). Let us delve into this story to learn how to triumph over evil.<\/div>
David and "The People of Israel"<\/strong><\/div>
When David arrives at Israel's camp on a mission from his father, he overhears a very self-centered conversation. The "People of Israel" express concern that the Philistine challenges "the armies of Israel," adding, "The man who kills him, the king will greatly enrich, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel." The problem is described as an 'Israeli' one, and the motivation to solve it is self-interest.<\/div>
David, in response, quickly corrects this crooked view. He asks those around him a seemingly innocent but very pointed question: "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes the disgrace from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" The issue is not 'Israeli' but 'divine', and the true reward is the mere privilege of removing disgrace from Israel.<\/div>
Initially, the message isn’t grasped, and the people provide David with a factual answer. "So shall it be done to the man who kills him," they say. But David persists in spreading his perspective, and eventually succeeds. The consistent unanimity of "so shall it be done to the man" becomes "the people responded to him in this manner," showing a crack in their unity. It appears some are beginning to think differently. As the conversation spreads, it becomes the talk of the day, eventually reaching Saul himself.<\/div>
David and Saul<\/strong><\/div>
When David meets Saul, he speaks directly: "Your servant will go and fight this Philistine." But Saul isn't skeptical; he simply states a fact: "You cannot go against this Philistine to fight him; you are only a youth, and he has been a warrior from his youth." It's not just that David will not win—the implication is he can't even start.<\/div>
David’s response seems innocent: "Your servant killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God." If in my private battles against the lion and bear I succeeded, how much more so in this righteous battle.<\/div>
Here, surprisingly, a pause occurs—a gap in the narrative. Then David speaks again, seemingly repeating himself: "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Another pause follows before Saul finally responds: "Go, and may the Lord be with you." It seems likely that Saul hesitated, not fully convinced by David's comparison between the lion and the bear. We must understand what insight David provided in his second statement that ultimately persuaded Saul.<\/div>
In his initial words, describing the problem Goliath poses, David never referred to himself. He focused on Goliath’s affront to the armies of the living God, stating that his fate should be "like one of them." This didn’t convince Saul; though David was correct in principle, the truth must be realized in natural terms. Naturally, David the shepherd cannot defeat Goliath the warrior. Saul didn’t know, he said, how David overcame the lion and bear; perhaps as part of his shepherd training, he took a special karate course against lions and bears—or interned at a circus. But understand, dear David, that a trained warrior is far more dangerous!<\/div>
Then David plays his trump card. The card he has carried all along: "The Lord who saved me from the lion and bear will also deliver me from this Philistine." Not for myself and not for my own sake do I fight, but for the honor of Heaven—therefore the Lord will aid me!<\/div>
But beyond that, there is a tremendous insight in David’s words. No, David tells Saul, I didn’t conquer the lion and bear because of some karate course or circus internship. The reason I succeeded is singular — the Lord saved me. Without His help, I could not have won. Therefore, it makes no difference whether it’s "a man of war from his youth" or a lion or bear; even if he is more sophisticated and skilled than them. I wouldn’t have defeated them without the Lord’s help; likewise, with His aid, I can defeat him. If during my personal battles, when the struggle concerned me and my flock, the Lord aided me, then certainly when this battle is for His name’s honor, He will help me. To be the divine agent to strike Goliath doesn’t require immense bravery or combat skills, but rather two things: total dedication to His name with love, and complete faith in the Lord's power to save, even through me.<\/div>
Saul does not respond immediately; it takes him some moments to internalize this profound insight. But eventually, he does and seems to truly grasp it: "Go, and the Lord be with you." Not "May the Lord be with you" in a prayerful sense, but "and the Lord be with you" — you’re right, assuredly the Lord will be with you.<\/div>
David and Goliath<\/strong><\/div>
From this point onward, the story's focus truly shifts from David to the Lord. Even Goliath acknowledges this... before David utters a single word, "the Philistine cursed David by his gods." This time, David lays all his cards on the table: "I am coming to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you... that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel. And that all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s." And the outcome is known.<\/div>
Conclusions<\/strong><\/div>
As we have seen, David’s battle against Goliath is a battle for the sanctification of Hashem’s name. Every one of us fights this battle in our struggle against our own inner desires. It seems that from the act of David and Goliath, we can glean some advice that might help us earn Hashem’s assistance in our battle against these desires (in this context, "The People of Israel" and "Saul" symbolize inner voices within us trying to dissuade us from entering the battle):<\/div>
A. Don’t put yourself at the center. Think about the bigger picture, the essence, the honor of Hashem. Remember, in defeating the evil, you are not just helping yourself, but also Hashem; and simply having the privilege to eliminate evil and sanctify Hashem’s name is the greatest reward.<\/div>
B. Don’t give up! You have insights, you have truths, but they are not being heard (by yourself)? Keep repeating them over and over until they penetrate!<\/div>
C. There is a voice (inside you) telling you—give it up, you have no chance. This battle isn’t even yours. Don’t succumb to that voice!<\/div>
D. Recall your previous successes, and draw strength from them for this battle. Even if the evil seems completely out of your league and appears far superior to you.<\/div>
E. If previous triumphs don't convince you, because "this battle is different"—remember that even in your past successes, your victory was because Hashem was with you, not because of your wisdom, experience, or capabilities. If you are combating this just battle, armed with the ultimate true argument of fighting for the honor of Hashem, then surely Hashem will assist you here as well.<\/div>
F. Don’t think this is mere prayer. Feel as confident as possible that truly Hashem will help you (if you don’t feel this, it might mean more work is needed before engaging in the battle).<\/div>
G. If you've prepared correctly, and you are indeed filled with this faith, then that earlier voice (from point C) will agree with you. This could be your measure of whether you are correctly aligned.<\/div>
H. In the battle itself — lay all your cards on the table. Confront the evil with the truth. Tell it what it is doing so that it fails to deceive you. Remind it that it violates Hashem’s honor. Remind it that Hashem is with you, that Hashem will help you.<\/div>
I. And always remember, keep reiterating to yourself, never forget for a moment — "For not with sword and spear does the Lord save, because the battle is the Lord’s!"<\/div>
*In accurate expression search should be used in quotas. For example: "Family Pure", "Rabbi Zamir Cohen" and so on
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