Parshas Ki Seitzei 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
וראית בשביה אשת יפת תאר וחשקת בה ולקחת לך לאשה ... (כא-יא)
Our parsha teaches us about Eishes Yefas Toar. A soldier in the heat of battle desires a woman and the Torah permits him to marry her, but not without restrictions. Rashi explains this unusual allowance: "לא דברה תורה אלא כנגד יצר הרע", the Torah is speaking only in reference to opposing the Evil Inclination. The Torah, in its innate wisdom, recognizes the human psyche and its frailty. Knowing that a soldier would likely give in to temptation, the Torah channels his desire into a framework of halachic law. This does not mean it is a good thing, rather, it is a manner of dealing with reality. If this is the case, however, why does Rashi write "כנגד יצר הרע" - “against the Yetzer Hara”? Wouldn’t it seem more fitting to say “about the Yetzer Hara”?
In Parshas Nitzavim the pasuk states: "והתברך בלבבו לאמר שלום יהיה לי כי בשרירות לבי אלך". Targum Yonasan translates: “A person will give up hope in his heart and say all will be well with me, and I will follow the Yetzer Hara.” A Mashal is given of a thief trying to break into a guarded mansion. Seeing no access from any windows or doors, he approaches the guard and confidently whispers to him that due to lack of trust, he has been fired. The guard sits down in despair, and the thief is able to enter right through the front door. The Baalei Avodah explain that the Yetzer Hara has a particularly dangerous strategy. First, he entices a person to sin. But then, he follows up with a second blow; pushing the person into despair. “Who am I already?” the sinner thinks. “Just a lowly failure.” In this state of despondency, a person no longer fears slipping further down the spiral. One sin leads to another, and the destructive cycle continues. It is this יאוש that one must avoid at all costs.
Rashi’s words can be explained with this idea. If the soldier would marry in a sinful way, the Yetzer Hara would have him ensnared forever. He is literally married to sin so why not continue down that path? To ensure faith in oneself and against the Yezter Hara’s whisper of hopelessness, the Torah permits the marriage. Hashem believes in us, shouldn’t we do the same?