Have you ever wondered why there must be so much struggle in life? It seems that we are constantly struggling either internally or with others.

This week’s Torah portion gives us an answer.  The opening verse of the portion states “If you will go out to war against your enemies and Hashem will deliver them into your hand so that you will take captives.”

The Torah is telling us that the purpose of war and struggle is to overcome and elevate the negative forces that are opposing us.  This is what the Torah means by the words so that you will take captives.  When we overcome and elevate our adversaries we take them as captives, figuratively speaking, to the side of goodness.  This also the reason that there has been so much and war and turmoil throughout history, since the mission of man and the Jewish people in particular is to banish evil and elevate the world to make it a home and resting place for the divine.