The following is an edited excerpt from the new book by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller and Sara Yoheved Rigler: Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara.
Two Tuesdays a month, the Israel Defense Forces conducts induction ceremonies in the Kotel Plaza. The novice soldiers, outfitted in their spanking new uniforms, stand in line as their proud parents look on. Each one is issued a Bible and a gun.
Birth into this world is actually an induction as a soldier. As the great sage Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato stated: "In truth a person is put into the middle of a raging war." The uniform is the human body, the Bible is the wisdom of Torah, and the gun is the inner weapons needed to fight this war.
Some of us are born warriors; others prefer to pursue peace. Whatever our disposition, however, we must recognize that life in this world is an ongoing battle, and the enemy is the force of darkness, negativity, and selfishness, called in Hebrew the "yetzer hara." Our battle assignment is to scale the mountain of lofty thoughts, words, and actions. The yetzer hara's job, assigned by God, is to pull us down into the ravines of depressed thoughts, condemning words, and depraved actions. The very name "Yisrael" was conferred on our forefather Yaakov by the angel of darkness after a night-long battle. That struggle against evil is the prototype of the life of every Jew. In this world, our choice is not between war and peace, but only between victory and defeat.
THE YETZER HARA'S SECRET CODE
Defeating the enemy requires more than superior strength and strategy. For example, everyone knows the military strategy by which Israel won the Six Day War. Israeli fighter jets, flying below the tracking altitude of Egyptian radar, attacked and destroyed Egypt's entire air force on the ground in the first hour of the war. Few people know that Egypt could have totally avoided defeat had one bungling sergeant known how to decode an incoming message.
That morning Egyptian intelligence at a radar station in northern Jordan did indeed pick up the scrambling Israeli aircraft. They sent a red alert message to the bunker of the Egyptian Supreme Command in Cairo. At that point, Egypt would have had enough time to get its planes off the ground and into the air and thus save them, but the sergeant on duty in the decoding room attempted to decipher the red alert using the previous day's code. His failure to properly decode the message led to catastrophe for his country.
Army intelligence is as important to the Israel Defense Forces as its elite combat units. Intelligence includes, among other things, intercepting the enemy's communications and then properly decoding them. The most crack combat unit in the world cannot win a battle if intelligence fails to appraise it of the enemy's plans and strategies.
The message of the yetzer hara is always: "You don't have what you need."
In the same way, we cannot hope to defeat the yetzer hara without intelligence: becoming aware of the enemy's strategy and properly decoding its messages. The Maharal of Prague [1520-1609] starts his treatise on "The Power of the Yetzer Hara" by breaking the code of the yetzer hara's messages to us. This enemy is always characterized by hunger and thirst, that is, by lack. It is the voice inside each of us that carps on lack.
The message of the yetzer hara is always: "You don't have what you need." This encoded message has a thousand different versions:
- I don't have a spouse, so of course I'm depressed.
- I have a husband, but he's not emotionally sensitive to me.
- I have a wife, but she doesn't keep the house neat enough.
- I don't have children, so I can't get on with my life.
- I have children, but they have learning disabilities.
- My child won't be accepted to a good college.
- My daughter desperately needs to get married.
- I don't have enough money to buy a house.
- I have a house, but it's too small.
- The house is big enough, but I desperately need a new kitchen.
- The house is too big for me to clean by myself; I need household help.
- I don't have a job that pays enough.
- I have a lucrative job, but I don't have the kind of boss I need.
The Maharal reveals the secret that statements of lack are a code and the dispatcher is always the yetzer hara.
BATTLE PLAN #1: IDENTIFY THE VOICE OF THE YETZER HARA
Whenever you hear your inner voice complaining about what you lack, go on high alert and assume battle position. You are under the attack of the yetzer hara.
This does not mean that you can't have legitimate wants: to get married, to have children, to own a home, to work at a good job. In fact, most of the blessings of the daily Amidah prayer are requests -- for healing, livelihood, redemption, etc. These blessings must be accompanied by genuine yearning.
You cross the line and start working for the enemy, however, when you heed the yetzer's commands instead of God's. For example, if you find yourself complaining about or leveling hurtful criticisms at your spouse, or speaking badly about your children, boss, or coworkers, you have fallen into the hands of the enemy. The feeling, "I don't have what I need," leads to many sins, as the yetzer hara offers you more and more blandishments to satisfy your needs by means that violate the Torah.
"Everything I need, I have (because God provided everything)."
Once you have cracked the code, and you are aware that your laments about what you lack are messages sent by the yetzer hara, you switch from intelligence to combat. You take out of your arsenal two effective weapons developed especially to liquidate this form of the yetzer hara.
BATTLE PLAN #2: "EVERYTHING I NEED I HAVE"
The best armor to protect yourself from the yetzer's attack is the attitude, "Everything I need, I have (because God provided everything)." Indeed, this is the meaning of the blessing we say every morning thanking God "Who provided me my every need." At the time you recite this blessing and throughout the day, you should feel that, at this moment, you have everything you need. This does not preclude wanting things in the future, but a bedrock belief in God's goodness and kindness to you at this very moment is the best battle stance against the yetzer hara.
You achieve this attitude by shifting your focus from what you don't have to what you do have. We are familiar with the automatic rifle carried at all times by Israeli soldiers: the M16. To fight the yetzer hara of lack we must carry one of two weapons: the G(Gratitude)16 and the G17. To use the G16, stop obsessing on what you don't have and refocus your thoughts on the details of what you do have:
- You may not yet be married, but you do have many of the components necessary to live a life of meaning, such as good friends and an interesting job. Take time to think about and be grateful for each one of your friends and the specific plusses of your job.
- You may need knee replacement surgery, but your eyes and ears work just fine. Take time to think about and be grateful for all the complex gifts of vision and hearing, which allow you to achieve the most significant goals that you have set for yourself.
- You may not have a large enough house for your family, but you are blessed with children. Take time to think about and be grateful for the special qualities of each one of your children. Each one is an entire universe.
- You may not have a pleasant job with amiable coworkers and a reasonable boss, but you do get a paycheck every week. Take time to think about and to be grateful for everything your paycheck pays for, and how your job and your paycheck enable you to be a giver, as God is a giver.
The weapon G17 works like the precision missiles the Israeli air force uses to target particular terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip. It can destroy a third floor apartment without damaging anything on the fourth and second floors. The G17 is a very sophisticated weapon. While the G16 involves shifting your focus from what you don't have to what you do have, the G17 ferrets out the blessing hidden within the lack itself.
- You may not have a spouse, but your single status allows you its own unique avenues for your spiritual expression. In fact, because you are not yet married, you have the time to nurture yourself and others spiritually and materially in ways you won't have time to do later when you have a family.
- You may not be healthy, but your illness may engender what you most want: a closer relationship with God and with the people you love the most. Illness can bring about positive changes in your character and spiritual growth. Dr. Rahamim Melamed-Cohen avers that the years since he was stricken with Lou Gehrig's Disease and became completely paralyzed have been the best years of his life from the standpoint of inner growth.
- You may not have children, but you do have a spouse and the time to devote yourself to your marriage and to that area that may in fact be your true mission in life. Witness the accomplishments of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe and Chaya Sara Kramer as described in Holy Woman.
Focusing on what you have rather than what you don't have is a foolproof weapon against the yetzer hara. Utter the formula, "Everything I need, I have (because God provided everything)," feel joy and gratitude to God, and you've won the battle.
Click here to preorder your copy of Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara.
(20) Anonymous, March 17, 2011 3:35 AM
very nicely written article
thank you
(19) Dimitar, July 16, 2009 7:12 PM
must read
Excellent book! Very easy to read, very informative, inspirational and challenging. Thank you!
(18) Yechiel Shliopshon, April 30, 2009 5:20 PM
How true, but,
I remember when we moved from a nice house in Bel Vue to one a block away. All for an extra bed room for our son. I admonished that the extra expence would hurt in several ways. It did, eventually distroying our family. Patience is a tool agbainst the Yetzer Hara, but I coujld not bring this understanding to my spouce. Hope the book and these articles shall save other from the pain we suffered.
(17) Anonymous, April 27, 2009 1:11 PM
A Message to Commenter #1 (and to anyone else who relates)
I would like to respond to commenter #1. I understand the strong sentiment behind "jt's" reaction to the article's advice. But, I also understand how vital it is to grab onto the gratitude-lifeline and to realize down deep that it's all precisely for our spiritual growth. I was born to two traumatized parents and come from a history of severe neglect. I suffered with agonizing anxiety and depressions and was single for most of my adult life. I did B"H marry and I haven't been blessed with children, I still hold out for that yeshua. I am surrounded at home and at work by young woman who are pregnant (often). I have a friend who has many many children and grandchildren YET, she was stricken with an illness that has taken away the movement of every part of her body, save her eyes and mind. she hasn't been able to eat, speak or breathe on her own for years. Yet, she hangs on, taking in with her eyes, with every ounce of her strength, the love of her family and friends and the photos of the bli ayin hara many new grandchildren,their photos cover her ceiling. Each of us is struggling with our tailor-made nisyonos (tests) in olom hazeh, and it is VERY VERY hard, don't underestimate the challenge. If we don't focus on what's good in our lives, we are finished, the fight with the yetzer hara is meant to help us become the spiritual giants we are meant to become. jt, I'm sending you a huge, warm smile and pray that in the midst of your pain, Hashem will bless you to feel His love and that the blessings you long for will come speedily with the recognition of that powerful love. Hang in there! We're in this together. :)
(16) Miriam, April 22, 2009 9:36 AM
This article brought to mind an amazing fact I recently read. Joseph Pilates, creater of the world famous pilates exercises was born with twisted and atrophied limbs. He created the pilates exercises originally for himself to train his own limbs. Eventually he taught it worldwide.
(15) paul, April 22, 2009 4:16 AM
thank you
indeed we have everything we need within us. since i lost my job i have learnt to appreciate whatever else i have remaining. it is the only way in which i have managed to remain sane. thank you tziporah and sara God bless!
(14) Lizzette, April 20, 2009 4:20 PM
Thank you
Thank you for posting this article, it has helped me a lot. It's a blessing to have read it.
(13) Anonymous, April 20, 2009 2:05 PM
Thank you
Once again, these wise, wonderful women illuminate the way. Thanks to you too, Mark (comment #11) for a great comment.
(12) Rivka, April 20, 2009 5:49 AM
Thank you so much for this article. I was drowning in despair today, and this article made me realize that I am letting my yetzer hara get to me, and have been doing so for a while. Its really hard to imagine fighting the negative feeling the yetzer hara sends my way but I hope I will be able to do so. I also wanted to share the hashgacha pratis (Hashems guiding hand) I had. My despair specificaly has to do with two subjects this article gave as exampels: knee problems and finding a spouse. When I read those parts I pretty much burst into tears, feeling that Hashem is realy looking out for me and talking to me, by making sure I read this article. Telling me to fight back and change my attitude!
(11) MARK, April 19, 2009 8:28 PM
all happiness lies within
I have met many successful, and rich people that are miserable. i have seen pure joy in poor neighborhoods-kids dancing in the water of a fire hydrant. I think, as an american, we have lost our way because we seek that which is already owned. it is not an island, as many were lead to believe. you do not arrive at the land of happiness. all you can do is understand things differently, so that you process the information in such a way it does not take away from your happiness. yes, there will be death, divorce and destruction on many levels. when i go to a funeral-i remind myself that i am not the dead one-so i must live with passion and be appreciative of each breath. that i am alive, and should be spirited, and anything, no matter how bad-my boss, a job loss, and the like, are not any reason to spiral like a fighter jet that will crash and burn on impact. NO! i must regain control and pull up-and fly-or in the worse case scenario-eject (a metaphor) out of the cockpit and save myself because the plane can be replaced-not the pilot. i think far too many people lose control because they attached themselves to jobs they lost, or departments they built. artificial things. stupid things. if these times have taught us anything-it is that even in a financial crisis, you can lose your home and car and credit.. true bliss is knowing you have, as i do, a precious daughter who can play so easily-she is so happy-to fail to rejoice in her joy would be a crime. just to be able to laugh with and at her, to be silly.. is a gift so far beyond an mansion. any sports-car.
(10) Mitch, April 19, 2009 7:04 PM
Loved it!
Loved reading your article! Shalom, Mitch
(9) Joanne, April 19, 2009 4:53 PM
Rebbitzen Heller
I was so lucky to have taken a class taught by Rebbitzen Heller while in Israel in 1082. While I am not observant now, she has impacted my life. Now, as a Hebrew and Judaics teacher to those children from very alienated families, her life lessons and gentleness and grace stays with me and flows to my students.
(8) Jeanette, April 19, 2009 2:34 PM
superb
what can I say is that it is always a pleasure to read anything by Reb Heller and Prof Rigler, they make a wonderful duo and are two of the most special women we have in the world of Torah. Thank you. Everything was expressed so beautifully and in such a special way.
(7) Arlene, April 19, 2009 12:34 PM
Inspiring
I have recently begun to read these articles and find it to be so helpful in my spiritual search for the secret to a joyous life. I had been following another path up until now, but as I come closer to finding out where I come from, I am beginning to appreciate the wisdom from which I was engendered. Thank you so much for helping me see that the answers have always been in Judaism, but I have been so blind and foolish not to see. I am grateful for being part of such a rich tradition of love.
(6) Anonymous, April 19, 2009 6:59 AM
There is a book called The Secret, and it has become a rage across the world. It appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show as the key to happiness, and the ideas presented in this book were seen as revolutionary. What was this so called "secret" which would reveal to the world the key to true happiness? Gratefullness. The key to happiness as presented in this book was the concept of one completely appreciating what they do have, and focusing their energy on that which they posess rather than on that which they do not. Once an individual has actually acknowledged and appreciated that which they do have only then can they live a happy and fulfilling life. This book which seemed revolutionary to millions, really only shared an idea that Judaism has kept so dear for thousands of years. Judaism has always known the "secret", complete gratefulness and appreciation is a victory of the yetzer hara, and the key to happiness. If one does believe that everything they are given does infact come from HaKodosh Barachu, then no matter what situation they are in however severe it may be, with gratefullness, appreciation and faith they can conquer their yetzer hara and eventually see the purpose of their trial. So in no way do these amazing woman fall short in providing us with the real weapons to defeat our yetzer hara. Maybe the idea that a slight change in focus can infact help an individual through their hardship, just seems too simple, but from personal experience I believe that these are the best weapons one can be equipped with.
(5) Noach, April 17, 2009 8:07 AM
Thank you again for an amazing article!
.
(4) Gemma, April 17, 2009 2:28 AM
One of the most helpful articles I've ever read
Thank you!
(3) Melody, April 17, 2009 12:14 AM
Beautiful
This article was very well written. If everyone in the world could learn to live in this light, it would be a much better place :) Maybe everyone won't, but let's start with us. Now.
(2) andrew, April 16, 2009 6:25 PM
One word: EXCEPTIONAL! Thank you.
Thanks God for your lifes.
(1) jt, April 16, 2009 4:09 PM
this falls short
this piece started out sounding very helpful. but then it fell short into platitudes and 'just be thankful' for what you have. of course this is essential. but to tell people with diseases about the amazing doctor serves up unrealistic expectations and hence more disappointment. to tell people who have terrible jobs to be happy with their check? are you serious? the stress from these jobs causes so many problems. to tell a single person, ah, now you have time for personal growth. duhh, what do you think singles do all the time? they WANT to be with someone. sorry folks, your descent into platitudes rings hollow, insensitive and virtually condescending. sorry, you can, should, and must do much much better. especially from where you sit.
Nase, August 18, 2011 2:46 PM
Tyranny of the Shoulds
The last line of your quote is "you can, should, and must do much much better." There is a term is psychology known as the "Tyranny of the Shoulds" Basically it states that many people are self-loathing because they construct unreasonable requirements for themselves and they are fustrated with others because they force their unreasonable standards upon others: e.g. I should be married by 30! I must do better! Every Jew is obligated to . . .! In a spiritual sense your Nefesh is nurturing the Yetzer Hara and preventing you from seeing the beauty in this article. In a psychological sense your ego is nurturing your Id and keeping you focused on WANTS For you I might recommend "The Secret". It is a decent self help book which teaches gratitude as a means of acheiving your future wants (i.e. feeding the Id/Yetzer Hara). Unfortunately, the Yetzer Hara is never satisfied. Also google "Tyranny of the Shoulds" and read about the concept. See if it describes you. From your posting I think it might. All the best