"Only the animals we took for a prey unto ourselves with the spoil of the cities which we had captured" . (Devarim 2:35)
The Battle Over the City
There are times when someone decides to begin fulfilling a certain mitzvah. They make a resolution to add that mitzvah to their observance. However, once they realize that performing that mitzvah is challenging or requires unexpected effort, they begin to procrastinate. They make excuses. At times, they even abandon their commitment.
Such a person needs to know, that whenever they feel like abandoning or delaying a mitzvah, it is the Yezter Harah trying to prevent them from connecting to Hashem through His Torah and mitzvos.
The pasuk in Koheles (4:13) describes the Yetzer Harah as a king, and a person as a small city (ibid 9:14). When the "city" rebels against this king – the Yetzer Harah - by accepting the yoke of heaven through the fulfillment of the mitzvos and studying Torah, the king does everything within his power to subdue this "rebellion". The Yetzer Harah makes the mitzvos seem difficult or the person unworthy. And, he arouses an array of desires in the person's heart drawing further away from his commitment and aspiration to fulfill his purpose in the world
However, if a person withstands this initial resistance, if he overpowers his Yetzer Harah and pushes himself to fulfill the mitzvos even if it's difficult, then he will merit Hashem's help to further overcome the temptations of the Yetzer Harah and the destructive, empty desires it tries to implant in a person's heart. As a result, this person will continue to grow stronger and more connected to kedusha, holiness. As Chazal taught in Pirkei Avos (3:5) that anyone who accepts upon themselves the yoke of Torah then the the yoke of government (malchus) will be removed from him. Meaning, if someone remains strong in their commitment to Torah and mitzvos then the "reign" and malchus of the Yetzer Harah will be removed and replaced with the kedusha, holiness, of Hashem's kingship.
Strong Like an Ox
Chazal taught (Avodah Zora 5b) that a person should always make himself subjugated to matters of Torah like an ox to a yoke.
While some animals (Chayos) are wild and cannot be domesticated, there are certain animals (Behamos) that naturally subjugate themselves to difficult labor. For example, a horse is willing to be saddled, have a bridle placed in its mouth and blinders around his eyes. It will pull a heavy wagon and go anywhere the rider directs him.
Among these types of animals, the ox's nature is the most amenable to carrying a heavy burden, to bearing a yoke while tirelessly working the land. An ox patiently accepts his workload.
So too, when a person begins performing mitzvos, he needs to be like an ox, and accept the mitzvos even if they are difficult, even if they require hard work. A Jew must diligently and patiently accept upon himself the yoke of Torah and mitzvos.
The Enjoyment is Coming
A person needs to push himself to perform mitzvos even if he lacks the proper intention.
The Ben Pores Yoseif (Parshas Vayeshev) quotes the Baal Shem Tov, may his memory protect us, who explained that when the Jews received the Torah, Hashem held the mountain over their heads and forced them to accept the Torah, even though they had already done so willingly, to teach us that the Torah is not optional. You cannot abandon the Torah simply because you don't want to commit. There are times when you must force yourself to observe the mitzvos and study Torah. The Baal Shem Tov concludes by teaching that the correct behavior for someone – especially in their youth or when they first begin becoming observant – is to continuously study Torah and perform mitzvos even when they don't want to and must force themselves.
If a person stretches and pushes himself to perform a mitzvah when it is difficult, eventually, over time, he will begin to unleash that mitzvah's sweetness and he will begin to thoroughly enjoy that mitzvah with a true, unmatched pleasure. The pasuk says (Shemos 19:5), "And now, if you obey Me and keep My covenant, you shall be to Me a treasure out of all peoples, for Mine is the entire earth". Rashi explains that if you now accept upon yourselves [the yoke of the commandments], it will be pleasant for you in the future, since all beginnings are difficult.
The Agra D'Pirka (Os 3) quotes Reb Meshulam Zusha of Anipoli, may his memory protect us, who taught that the main reward one receives in Olam HaBah, the World to Come, is for the mitzvos he performs at the beginning of his spiritual journey when he still does not enjoy those mitzvos. Later, the enjoyment he experiences is a part of his reward in this world for that same mitzvah.
Focus on the Beginning
Therefore, Jews must strengthen their efforts in their youth and at the beginning of their spiritual journey. If they make that effort in the beginning, the difficulties will eventually dissipate, and they will be able to grow spiritually and achieve an elevated expression of their service to Hashem. As Chazal taught (Yuma 39a) that if a person sanctifies himself marginally below in this world, his sanctity is amplified in the heavens.
Similarly, it was taught in Shir HaShirim Rabba (5:2) that Hashem says, "Open for Me one opening like the eye of the needle, and I will open for you openings that wagons and carriages enter through it."
Shlomo HaMelech wrote (Mishlei 20:27), Man's soul is the Lord's lamp... Just like a lamp only requires a person to light the initial spark and then it continues to burn on its own, so too, the neshama, the soul, only requires a person to make that initial effort to connect to holiness, afterwards, the heavens send him the inspiration for further growth. As it says (Shir HaShirim 8:6), ר'שפי א'ש ש'להבתיה- sparks of fire, a blazing flame – to perform the mitzvos enthusiastically and a true yearning.
This is the deeper meaning of what Moshe Rabbeinu was teaching with this pasuk:
"Only the animals (Behamos) we took for a prey unto ourselves" refers to taking and learning a lesson of performing the mitzvos like an ox who accepts his yoke and burden. Then we will be able to take back "the spoil of the cities" , removing the reign of the Yetzer Harah over our bodies which are like a "small city".
Afterwards, you can merit אשר לכדנו-which we captured. The Hebrew word אשר is an acronym for ר'שפי א'ש ש'להבתיה- sparks of fire, a blazing flame. Through perseverance and performing mitzvos that are difficult, you can merit to accept the mitzvos willingly and enthusiastically.
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