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Learning from the Enemy

Consider the parable of the prostitute in the Zohar.

From the teachings of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, translation and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore

"When you go out to wage war against your enemy, G‑d will deliver him into your hands, and you will capture his captives." (Deut. 21:10)

The Baal Shem Tov taught:
Why should a person listen to his evil inclination? He obviously should not obey the evil inclination itself, but rather learn from his commitment and his methodology, that the evil inclination faithfully fulfills its Master's wish.

...the evil inclination can be defeated through its very own devices.

Then, the evil inclination can be defeated through its very own devices. Just as it is quick in its work to entice a person to sin, in order to fulfill its mission from G-·d (as the Zohar relates with the parable of the prostitute1) so a person should also learn to be quick in his efforts not to listen to the evil inclination, which is the will of G‑d [for him].

This, then, is the meaning of, "When you go out to wage war against your enemy" [referring to the evil inclination,] "you will capture his captives" [meaning you will learn a lesson from how he captures his captives].

[Based on Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Pekudei 3, Bechukosai 4
Translation and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore. Reprinted with permission from //baalshemtov.com.]

Footnotes

The Zohar (2:163a) defines the nature of the evil inclination with a parable: "This is like a king who had an only son, whom he loved very much. He ordered him not to not to associate with any evil woman, for whoever drew near to an evil woman is not fit to enter the king's chamber. The son promised that he would fulfill his father's will in love. Outside the king's palace was a prostitute, of beautiful appearance and form. Days past, and the king said, 'I want to see my son's commitment to me.' He called that prostitute and told her to seduce his son. She followed the king's son and began to hug him and kiss him, and to seduce him in many different ways. If that son is upright, and upholds his father's orders, he will berate her and not listen to her, and push her away. Then the father will be happy with his son, and bring him into his chamber, and give him gifts and great honor. Who caused the son to receive such honor? That prostitute."

From the teachings of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, translation and commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore

Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov [“Master of the Good Name”], 1698–1760. A unique and seminal figure in Jewish history, revealed the chassidic movement, and his own identity as an exceptionally holy person, on his 36th birthday, 18 Elul 1734. He passed away on the festival of Shavuot in 1760. He wrote no books, although many contain his teachings. (Also referred to as “the BeShT,” from an acronym of Baal Shem Tov.)

Rabbi Eliezer Shore, the translator, studied in yeshivot in New York and Israel for many years. He currently lives in Jerusalem, where he is a writer, storyteller, and Torah teacher.

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