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The officers shall add and say, "Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, and let him not dishearten the heart of his brothers, like his heart" (Deuteronomy: Chapter 20, Verse 8).

This verse is in reference to one who is exempt from fighting in Jewish wars. Most commentaries quote Rebbe Yossi Hagelili's explanation of the verse, "the afraid and fainthearted of the sins that are in his hands (Tractate Sotah 44b)." God promises victory and tells us not to be afraid (chapter 20, verses 1-4). This individual may feel that he will not merit God's salvation because of his past actions. He is therefore pardoned from military services.

The Ohr Hachaim (1696-1743) expounds upon Rebbe Yossi Hagelili's explanation. "Even if one does not know that he has sins, the fear of war that enters his heart will inform him that he has sins."

It is understood that before entering war a solider reflects upon his past. In terms of his relationship with God, this reflection makes him realize that he cannot continue to be confident. If he has sins, fear will compel him to realize what he should have already known.

Even though ideally an individual needs to recognize his shortcomings and strive to always improve, comfortable times may relax a person's perspective of who he is.

As Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz of blessed memory (Rosh Yeshiva Rabeinu Yisroel Mayer HaCohein, Queens) explained, the human psyche works in irrational ways. One gets a false sense of his righteousness when life seems easy or comfortable. Sometimes it takes a discontented reality to recognize the truth. A worthy thought for the upcoming High Holidays.

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen.
www.yiaberdeen.com