We Shall Not Fear | Eikev 5784

Hamas are trying, once again, to fill us with dread and fear.

This week, the Israeli army through intelligence were able to bring back the bodies of six hostages for burial. What type of people takes people, innocent civilians including 80-year-olds, murders them in captivity? From day one until today, Hamas have constantly used psychological warfare, sending videos of the hostages to their families, trying to fill us with fear.

This is what many utilize during war, and what the Torah says tens of times, including in this week’s parasha: do not fear them, do not be filled in any dread. But how is that possible? When we go out to war, we are fearful – how can it be forbidden? We are told that we need to remember Jewish history, how many have tried to vanquish the Jewish people and how we have overcome. We need not fear, because G-d is with us.

That is what this battle is about – it is those who stand for G-dliness and goodness not a perverse understanding of G-d. When we focus on the fact that Hashem is on our side, that we are on the side of good against evil, we see an incredible thing – we can put our emotions in check. Despite the fear, we are able to overcome. We are not filled with any dread or fear, we are able to look evil in the eye and do everything we can so that good triumphs over bad and light over darkness.