Parashat Shoftim: How Can We Overcome Fear During War?

 

Parashat Shoftim

How Can We Overcome Fear During War? 

Must We Fear Retaliation After Israel Attacks? 

We here in Bat Ayin, Israel, and around the world are actively awaiting the final Geulah (redemption) when Hashem will show His strong hand and perform revealed miracles even greater than in the Exodus from Egypt. Meanwhile, we experience innumerable hidden miracles, that attest to the overt miracles to come.  It is still a great test to trust in G-d and overcome any tinge of fear. I must admit that I became a bit worried when I heard that Israel’s airport shut down on Sunday, August 25, hours after my husband was safely on a flight to visit his mom in New Jersey for her 94th birthday. I didn’t know then that the shutdown would be brief, so I was concerned about my husband being able to return back home according to schedule. My mom told me very worriedly that the airport was closed because Israel had attached Lebanon and retaliation was expected. Many of my non-religious family members get terrified each time Israel strikes, in fear of reprisals. It seems that they are unaware that the only way to stop the terrorism of Islamic Yihad is by showing strength and making it clear that the Arabs have no capability to defeat us. Only then, According to Islamic law, are they exempt from their ‘mitzvah’ to wage war. Islam regards compromise as an expression of weakness. If compelled to agree to a cease-fire, they consider it only a respite to prepare for the continuation of war. In the interim, they will try to weaken their opponent through terrorist attacks and raids as we have experienced here in Israel over and over again. Their religion commands them to keep attacking till they defeat the enemy. If they are unable, at the very least they will attempt to sedate him with lies, and when the opportunity arises, they will attack again. All Muslims share the desire to return Arab rule over the Land of Israel. The debate between the moderates and the extremists is whether to conduct an overt, all-out war against us, or first, to emasculate and weaken the State of Israel using agreements and political pressure, and only afterward, take it by force. Any attempt at compromise or looking for a “political horizon,” instills hope within the Arabs that they can defeat us, and as a result, encourages terrorism and war (Based on Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, Israel and the West Opposite Islam). So, I had to remind myself and my mother, not to panic in fear of retaliation because only when Israel shows her strength can we be safe. 

Shaking off the Shackles of Fear to Experience Divine Protection

Later I found out about the amazing miracle that had taken place, and how Hashem is leading Israel to victory behind the scene. The recent preemptive strike by Israel on Lebanon is nothing short of an incredible miracle. From the news reports the Israeli army had about 30 minutes to coordinate 100 planes with 100 fighter pilots in the air together in formation to hit over 200 targets simultaneously to keep the element of surprise to avert Hezbollah’s planned attack. From 4:30 when the decision was made, 100 pilots were in the air all flying in formation ready to hit their targets before the 5 AM deadline that Hezbollah had set to launch an all-out attack of 6000 missiles towards Israeli civilians while they were still sleeping. Wow! That is nothing short of a historic miracle again after the recent one with Iran. Then on top of it, Hezbollah launched upwards of 320 missiles/projectiles at Israel of which very few hit their targets. So in a sense, it’s like a double miracle. If anyone is not thinking that G-d is protecting us, hopefully, this will be a wake-up call to realize the G-d of Israel has His hand over the Jewish people and our land. Once again, Israel gives military historians yet another miraculous military accomplishment to think about (Hananya Naftali, Israel News). Sadly, not everyone shares this outlook, but focus on the casualties, the uncertainty, and the fear. I totally understand mothers who struggle to fall asleep at night, when they have sons fighting on the front lines. It is indeed difficult to shake off the shackles of fear, and truly experience Divine protection.     

What Can We Do to Be Assured of Victory in War?

Most of the second half of Parashat Shoftim (Chapter 20) is devoted to the subject of warfare. The first principle of war for Israel is not to be afraid but to trust that Hashem will save us:

ספר דברים פרק כ פסוק א כִּי תֵצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה עַל אֹיְבֶךָ וְרָאִיתָ סוּס וָרֶכֶב עַם רַב מִמְּךָ לֹא תִירָא מֵהֶם כִּי הָשֵׁם אֱלֹהֶיךָ (ג) וְאָמַר אֲלֵהֶם שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל אַתֶּם קְרֵבִים הַיּוֹם לַמִּלְחָמָה עַל אֹיְבֵיכֶם אַל יֵרַךְ לְבַבְכֶם אַל תִּירְאוּ וְאַל תַּחְפְּזוּ וְאַל תַּעַרְצוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם :(ד) כִּי הָשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם עִם אֹיְבֵיכֶם לְהושִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם:

“When you go out to war against your enemies, if you should see horses, chariots, and armies that outnumber you, you shall not be afraid of them, for Hashem your G-d is with you who took you out of the land of Egypt. When you draw close to the battlefield… Hear O Israel, today you draw close to wage war against your enemies. Let not your heart be faint, you shall not be afraid, do not fear, neither shall you be terrified because of them! For Hashem your G-d goes before you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you!” (Devarim 20:1, 2-3).

The strong message from these verses is to not fear for G-d will not abandon His people to defeat, as long as we trust in Him. Those who are afraid are therefore wisely exempted from war so that their fear will not become contagious and weaken the army morale. Rashi explains that if you execute righteous judgment, you can be assured of victory when you depart for war. Similarly, David says, “I performed justice and righteousness; do not leave me to my oppressors” (Tehillim 119: 121). - [Tanchuma] (Rashi, Devarim 20:1). This offers an interesting take on the fear of war, which essentially is the fear of sin (the opposite of performing justice and righteousness). Thus, the current war offers the opportunity to work on ourselves, to become the very best version of ourselves, so that we will have nothing to fear. The continuation of Rashi’s commentary also holds a pertinent message for our times: AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES - Let them be in your eyes as enemies; have no pity on them, for they will have no pity upon you. (Ibid.). In our time of liberalism and tolerance, the word “enemy” had almost become like an F word. There is virtue in seeing the good in everyone, even in our adversaries, but not to the detriment of our own lives. Rashi’s simple succinct message to not pity our enemies (whether civilian or not?!) is one of the main principles of war that we can learn from Parashat Shoftim. 

The Importance of Continuing to Build, Plant, and Raise Families in The Land of Israel 

There are three additional exemptions from war: 1. The man who has built a new house but has not yet dedicated it 2. The man who has planted a vineyard but has not yet eaten of its fruit? 3. The man who has betrothed a woman but has not yet taken her in marriage? (Devarim 20:5-7). Although we all cry for every fallen soldier, there is something even more tragic if a soldier about to be married dies. This would be a source of even greater grief (Rashi, Devarim 20:5). The grief caused by the house remaining incomplete, the vineyard untended and the woman bereft of her future husband is so overwhelming that it could cause despondency and giving up hope of a brighter future. The Torah message for us is that even as the war is raging, we must continue building houses, and inhabit them, plant vineyards, enjoy their fruit, and raise families. It is precisely because these three pursuits are in the national interest, that they must be continued even during war. Otherwise, the tragic repercussions of disrupting the continuous building up of our homeland, G-d forbid, would be more detrimental to the national morale than the fearful soldier. Rashi reminds us that we must continue to live, build cities, cultivate the earth, and raise children even during the war. Therefore, let these men return and be released from warfare so that they might show their compatriots that real victory over the enemy means never succumbing to despair. Rashi also has a vital message for those of us who aren’t enlisted in the army at this time. Our job in continuing to build, plant, and raise families in the land of Israel is no less vital. Let us not succumb to despair and let our gardens lay fallow. Now, more than ever is the time to dedicate ourselves to building our land and getting ready to sow the winter crop! 

Gratitude Focus for the Week of Parashat Shoftim –

Some Tips on How to Overcome Fear During War

War anxiety, sometimes known as nuclear anxiety, is a surprisingly common reaction to the news and images about conflict. We are still learning about the long-term effects of worries related to mass violence. A Finnish study found that adolescents worried about nuclear war were at increased risk for common mental disorders five years later. People prone to anxiety are also more likely to seek out media coverage of crises, which may perpetuate a cycle of distress. War anxiety can gradually sneak up on people, or it can present suddenly in response to a trigger. Symptoms can be in one’s mind, body, or both. Physical symptoms of anxiety may include a racing heart, butterflies in the stomach, nausea, or dizziness. Some people develop full-blown panic attacks. For others, war anxiety presents as worries that spiral out of control, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or nightmares. Others may feel numb. Keep in mind that anxiety is often an appropriate response to life stressors, and a small amount of anxiety is adaptive – it signals your body to take a threat seriously. When your mind is preoccupied by war, or when you experience muscle tension or other physical symptoms, here are some strategies that can help you break the anxiety cycle.

• Limit your media exposure. Emotionally gripping news sells, and news that affects you negatively is more likely to be addictive. Breaking the habit of checking the news regularly may be the single most effective change in combating war anxiety. Attempt to limit your exposure (including social media) to less than 30 minutes daily, and try to avoid exposure before bed.

• Reach out to others. Channeling anxiety into meaningful connection may lower your sense of helplessness. If you have a friend or acquaintance with a son on the frontlines, consider checking in to offer support. 

• Cultivate compassion. War anxiety can trigger anger, which also has its roots in loss of control. Anger can be directed toward populations or ethnic groups, or it may be displaced onto family members or friends with a different view. In addition to interventions such as mindfulness, physical activity, and breathing exercises, anger can be effectively challenged with compassion. Start by paying more attention to kindness around you, attempt to limit your judgments, and try to appreciate other perspectives.

• Change your routine. Limiting media exposure, news updates, and political discussions will increase your free time during the day. Unfortunately, unstructured time usually results in more worrying, as our brains are hard-wired to do. Try to incorporate these anxiety-reducing activities instead:

• Walk in the forest. Research suggests that as little as 15 minutes in nature can relieve stress and anxiety.

• Increase the intensity of your physical activity. Any aerobic activity can reduce anxiety, but the higher the intensity of exercise, the greater the effects on anxiety.

• Practice deep breathing and mindfulness. To reap the benefits, try to practice every day. Guided mindfulness can be done in person, or at home with CDs or mobile applications. Breathe, Relax is a free and evidence-based mobile app that teaches deep breathing exercises (Based on Stephanie Collier, MD, MPH, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing, War anxiety: How to cope, May 23, 2022).

• Notice Hashem’s miracles and practice seeing Hashem’s protective hand over Israel and your life. Breathe bitachon (trust) of Hashem into your heart and work on believing that Hashem knows what He is doing, and that all is for the best! 

• Don’t forget to thank Hashem for His miracles and protection. The more you keep thanking Hashem, the more peace of mind you will generate, for yourself and those around you!