The Real Battle: Fighting the Evil Inclination in Jewish Thought

In the Torah portion Ki Teitzei it says: “When you go out to war against your enemies, and the Lord your God delivers them into your hands, and you take them captive” (Devarim 21:10).

On the simple level, the verse refers to a physical war against Israel’s enemies, but the Zohar reveals that on a spiritual level, this war is not only against the enemy outside, but against the enemy within — our own evil inclination (yetzer hara). As the Zohar states: “When you go out to war against your enemies — this refers to the evil inclination” (Zohar, Ki Teitzei).

The Shelah HaKadosh (Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz) explains that while the plain text speaks of a physical war, it also hints at the inner battle each person faces: “Although the portion literally speaks of an actual war, it also hints at the war a person wages against his inclination… As our Sages said: ‘The Torah speaks only in relation to the evil inclination’ (Kiddushin 21b). This refers to the inner war. And this is why the verse says, ‘When you go out to war’ — for permission and choice are given to man. If a person begins the fight, then God helps him. As our Sages taught: ‘Were it not for God’s help, one could not overcome it’ (Sukkah 52b). This is the meaning of, ‘And the Lord your God will deliver him into your hand… and you shall take him captive’ — through the power of Torah and mitzvot” (Shnei Luchot HaBrit, Ki Teitzei).

Life as a Daily Battle

The Torah is teaching us that the true battles of life are not against armies, but against the temptations that try to pull us away from God’s will. These are our real enemies.

Every day is a battlefield: light versus darkness, good versus evil, patience versus anger, gratitude versus jealousy, love versus hatred, joy versus despair, choosing to do a mitzvah or to sin. Life is a constant struggle between the yetzer tov (good inclination) and the yetzer hara (evil inclination).

How much do you fight to become a better person? How much do you fight your anger for the sake of peace at home, even when someone says something offensive? How much do you fight for Shabbat, for modesty, for serving God?

Being a warrior is not just about fighting Hamas or physical enemies. It’s also about battling the negativity inside ourselves. God commands us: fight! Awaken the inner warrior within you.

The Inner Warrior

Each of us has hidden strength but it’s up to us to decide whether to leave it dormant or to awaken it.

A soldier in enemy territory survives on three hours of sleep in the rain, eats only enough to keep his strength, and sharpens every sense of his body to endure. He doesn’t say, “It’s too hard for me” or “Not convenient right now.” He knows that losing means death and victory means life.

The same is true in life’s inner battles: to be a better person, a better parent, a better spouse, a faithful servant of God. A true warrior doesn’t say, “It’s too hard.” He brings out every ounce of strength until he wins.

King David said: “I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I will not turn back until they are destroyed” (Psalms 18:38). The true enemies are our sins and the yetzer hara. We must wage war against them until they are utterly defeated. The real terrorist is the voice inside that whispers: “You can’t. It’s too difficult.”

To that voice, God says: Be strong! “Be as bold as a lion to do the will of your Father in heaven” (Pirkei Avot 5:20).

Fighting the Right Battles

Fight to control your anger.
Fight to be a joyful mother, a loving husband, a kinder neighbor.
Fight to speak positively instead of gossiping.
Fight to choose modesty when it’s not easy.
Fight to tell your friends: “I don’t go out Friday night — I’m keeping Shabbat now.”

God believes you are a fighter. You must believe it too.

Victory With God’s Help

Only when we rise up and fight the evil inclination that tries to drag us down does God come to our aid. As our Sages taught: “One who comes to purify himself — he is helped from Above.” Anyone who sincerely wants to overcome their weaknesses receives heavenly assistance, extra strength, and the ability to succeed.

Then the Torah’s promise is fulfilled: “And the Lord your God will deliver him into your hand, and you shall take him captive” (Devarim 21:10). God will deliver the evil inclination into your hands, and you will reclaim all the holiness and goodness it once stole from you.