Whoever is a fearful and softhearted man, let him go and return to his home. (Devarim 20:8)
The Maskilim would make fun of the way that warfare is to be conducted according to Torah law, and once they put on a play in the town of Brisk to illustrate their point.
A crowd of soldiers wrapped in tallis and tefillin came on the stage. Then a voice declared, “Whoever built a new house and did not inaugurate it, let him go and return to his home.” Lots of soldiers exited the stage.
Then a voice declared, “Whoever planted a vineyard and did not eat of its fruit, let him go and return to his home.” More soldiers exited the stage.
Then, “Whoever betrothed a woman but did not marry her...” More soldiers exited.
The final declaration was, “Whoever is a fearful and softhearted man, let him go and return to his home.” At that point, everyone left the stage except for two people costumed as the Chofetz Chayim and Rav Chayim Brisker. The play concluded with the two elderly gentlemen debating who should head the “army.” Rav Chayim put forth the argument, “You should go first, as you are a kohen...”
The maskilim thought it was tremendously funny.
When Rav Chayim Brisker was told about the play, he remarked, “They depicted it right, but they left out the end of the story. The two remaining old men went out to war and won!”
