07/19/2013
We wish everyone a gut Shabbos, and here is a thought for the weekend;
Mishnah: In the front of the army they would station men to set upright those who had fallen. And they would station others at the rear of the army with iron axes in their hands. And anyone who would try to turn around and run, authority was given to sever his legs, for the beginning of flight is a downfall.
- Sotah 44b, Schottentstein Talmud Bavli
And the Gemara says, "The beginning of a downfall is flight."
There is a time for peace (God willing, all the time) and there is a time for war. When war is necessary, you can not be half-hearted - not only for your own sake, but for the sake of those around you.
This is a spiritual teaching as well as literal one. In fighting the war against the evil inclination, one must guard against the first slip, lest the downfall come.
