MI LAHASHEM ELAY- THE TORAH MINDSET- P. Ki-Tisa

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Torah Portion and Tanach
Shmot
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Yishayahu (25, 1) calls the mitzvot, "counsels from long ago", and the Rambam writes that the mitzvot teach us ideas, actions and traits that serve us well throughout life (Guide for the Perplexed 3, 31). R. Soloveichik adds that even the halachic frameworks and details help us clarify proper mindsets.

Our sages continue and elaborate such ideas even more in their midrashic and aggadic works full of great and provenly successful ideas. For example, my father z"l used to often quote in daily life, "מצוה הבאה לידך על תחמיצנה", "A mitzvah which comes to you, don't let it sit and ferment to become chametz (but do it immediately)" (Mechilta on Shmot 12, 17). Similarly, "אל תאמר לכשאפנה אשנה שמא לא תיפנה", "don't say 'when I have time I will learn', for you may never find the time" (Avot 2, 4). Also, ""המתחיל במצוה אומרים לו מרוק (=גמור) whoever begins a mitzvah, tell him finish it" (Yerushalmi Megilla 2, Tosfot Hullin 29a). The common denominator is that chazal teach us not to procrastinate, and to finish that which we began. If something is worth starting, it's usually worth finishing!

The Israeli army is presently in the process of finishing off in Iran what we began in the previous 12-day-operation "Am KaLavie", just 8 months ago to prevent their nuclear and ballistic programs directed against us. Why we didn't complete the job then, I don't know, but once we are there again, we surely must do so now efficiently.
In life, you never know how circumstances may change, and we must "seize the moment". Especially in Israel, maybe the Prime Minister will change, maybe the President of the U.S. will change. Perhaps the unity and nationalist mindset of Israel may wear down, perhaps we may run low on ammunition, perhaps anti-Semites will turn the UN against us, and much more. So often, people lament that after the Six Day War we didn't take full advantage of the atmosphere with our enemies! G-d teaches us the Torah "mindset", when he sent a prophet to rebuke Achav for not finishing off Ben-Haddad, King of Aram, whom He gave to Achav to defeat (M'lachim I, 20). In short, we must make sure that this time, we are careful to "finish them" properly!
BH Israel has basically wiped out the Iranian anti-aircraft, assassinated their "Supreme Leader" and 40 of his top military and intelligence heads within the 1st minute of the war. They are clearly "on the run", and as in boxing, we must now finish them off, as they planned to do to us. After the "Beeper Attack", Hizballah was reeling, but unfortunately we let them regroup. Hashem has given us this G-d-sent situation that we can do there whatever we want, so all we have to do is 'want'.
We find another clear Torah educational "mindset" in this week's parsha, when Moshe Rabbenu calls "מי לה' אליי". He keeps it simple and clear: "Whoever is for G-d, follow me". There are no two ways of understanding this: if you are for G-d, you come and aid when it's time for war. And if you do not come, you are not for G-d (Shmot 32, 26).
Matityahu copied (even if not precisely), where in the Book of Maccabees I (2, 27), "Whoever is zealous for the Torah and the covenant (with G-d), will follow me" and fight the Greeks. The ancient historian Yosifun (ch. 19, the end of the Geonic period, about 1,100 years ago, according to most editions), claims that Matityahu (or Yehuda HaMaccabee) actually copied Moshe's words precisely. Either way, whoever celebrates Chanukah should also learn from and emulate the clear words and actions of Matityahu and the Maccabees.
Moreover, Moshe Rabbenu (rebuking Reuven and Gad, "Shall your brothers go to war while you stay here?!", Bamidbar 32, 6), Deborah the prophetess (Shoftim 5, 16 & 23) and the Rambam harshly rebuke those who don't come to help Israel during war, 'Cursed be he who does G-d's work deceitfully, cursed be he who withholds his sword from blood' (Rambam, Hil. M'lachim u'Milchamoteihem 7, 15, based upon Yirmiyahu 48, 10- it should be noted that he is even referring there to a Milchemet R'shut, an "optional war"!). Regarding those who don't help during war, Rav Soloveichik even applies the very severe castigation of the Rambam (Hil. Teshuva, 3, 11) to one who doesn't participate with Israel in her time of trouble (Community, Covenant and Commitment [Hebrew], 2011, 68, 244, based upon.).
As regarding the issue of energetic action without delay, here too the advice and obligation of the Torah mindset, concept and wording are clear as can be: whoever is loyal to G-d, comes to fight His and His nation's enemies, with that same zeal. Shabbat Shalom! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)

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