When you go forth to war against your enemies...and you shall take him captive (Deut. 21:10)
In the war against the Evil Inclination, it is insufficient to merely conquer and subdue it; one must also “take him captive” and utilize one’s negative impulses to serve G-d. In truth, there is much to learn from the Evil Inclination, whose G-d-given role is to constantly attempt to cause man to sin. We would be well advised to emulate its dedication in fulfilling G-d’s will. (The Baal Shem Tov)
You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep driven away and hide yourself from them; surely you shall bring them back to your brother (Deut. 22:1)
G-d has implanted within us a wonderful character trait: a willingness and urge to be kind to another Jew that is even stronger than the desire to be kind to ourselves. We can always find reasons why we deserve our own suffering, G-d forbid, but when it comes to another’s distress, it is absolutely impossible. (Hayom Yom)
You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and hide yourself from them; you shall surely lift them up again (Deut. 22:4)
It is forbidden to make believe one cannot recognize his fellow Jew’s material needs, symbolized by the “donkey” and the “ox.” For when you help another, you too will surely be “lifted up” and elevated spiritually. (Tiferet Shlomo)
You shall not wear a garment of different sorts (shaatnez), wool and linen together (22:11)
According to Chasidut, wool and linen are symbolic of chesed and gevura, the attributes of loving-kindness and severity. When a Jew observes a positive mitzva, a “do,” he brings closer the object with which he performs the mitzva. When he observes one of the Torah’s prohibitions, a “don’t,” he avoids something that is forbidden and pushes it away. The mitzva of shaatnez reminds us that these two opposing thrusts mustn’t be combined: that which is forbidden should be shunned, and that which is holy and positive should be encouraged. (The Rebbe, Elul 5744)
