(א) “Go out to war” not to destroy but to refine. “Your enemies” – one’s body and animal soul. “G-d will deliver them into your hands” assist you to prevail. “Capture one’s captives” the sparks inherent in physical matter.
(ב) If a "guardrail" is necessary even when a person embarks on a higher level of spiritual service, how much more so when this "new" manner of service involves a descent within the physical world; it is obvious that the trials and tribulations the person is about to face during such a descent are so much greater, and thus, additional measures of spiritual protection are a must.
(ה) A precept exists to remember each day the spiritual actions of Amalek, that which cools you to the way of Torah and Mitzvos; one must warm up and wage battle.
Key Verses
- כי תצא למלחמה יח, טו
- ועשית מעקה כב, ח
- זכור כה, יט
Performing a mitzvah can be accomplished even without intent, while transgression must be accompanied by intent; when performing a mitzvah, even without intent, one dedicates to G-d one’s soul, body, and those objects with which one performs the Mitzvah; so that every fiber of one’s being and of one’s portion of the physical world becomes elevated, attached and united with G-d.
Further Points
- Teshuvah in Elul can be an easy matter which leads to great rewards.
- The mitzvah of “Sending the Mother Bird Away” is an easy mitzvah since it involves no loss of money, is effortless, and always comes at a convenient time; yet it leads to great rewards.
- When a Jew does Teshuvah one reveals the great connection that exists between G-d and the Jew. A Get involves separation, yet at the same time many particulars involve matters of unity to the extent that the altar cries (revealing the essence of connection that actually existed).
- The G-dly soul wages war with the animal soul in time of prayer; another way of overcoming is the way of peace, by striving in Torah. The verse speaks of an optional war, and not another war of Eretz Yisrael, which does not involve taking captives (but yet is not an obligatory war).
- Sense of coldness (Amalek) can affect our midos (חיות), but Kabalas Ol (דומם) does not allow a place for it. Command to wipe out the memory of Amalek includes their animals, which retain a name from the former ownership; but does not include other property, which doesn’t retain the name.
- The benefits of a Mitzvah in this world (and the principal for the next) are for the category of Mitzvos between one person and another (i.e. כיבוד אב). Mitzvos between G-d and man only have benefits in the next world (i.e. שילוח הקן). (Shechita isn’t cruel; we are elevating the animal to a higher level).
- When making a new home (marriage) one must take on more “guardrails” in one’s service to G-d. Beginning a new home and a new lifestyle, with a greater degree of immersion in physicality, one must build a “guard-rail”; so as not to take a spiritual fall in thought, speech, or deed.
