09 Dec RECOGNIZING THE YEITZER HARA

In parshas Ki Teitzei, the
Or HaChaim HaKodesh,
zt”l, zy”a, tells us that
the true enemy of every
person is the Yeitzer
Hara, the evil inclination.
As the Gemara informs
us, “Yitzro shel adam
misgabeir alav b’chol
yom um’vakeish hamiso, v’im ein HaKadosh
Baruch Hu ozro, eino yachal lo – A person’s
evil inclination prevails upon him every day
and attempts to slay him (thru grievous sin),
and if Hashem would not assist the person he
would stand no chance.”
In English, we have a saying: “Know thine
enemy!” We have a better chance to succeed
against the Yeitzer Hara if we familiarize
ourselves with his nefarious methods.
When Yaakov Avinu fought with the Angel,
we are taught that this particular angel was
named Samaei”l. We are also informed that
Samaei”l is the Malach HaMaves, the Angel
of Death. Also, the word Samaei”l (spelled
samach-mem-alef-lammed), is a corruption of
the two words sam Keil (spelled samach-mem
and alef-lammed), the poison of G-d. In a very
real way, when Yaakov fought with him, it was
truly a fight to the death. “Vayar ki lo yachol
lo – And when the Angel saw that he couldn’t
prevail over him (over Yaakov),” this was

surely because Yaakov was, “Ish tam, yosheiv
ohalim – The perfect man, dwelling non-stop
in the tents” of Torah.” This attribute is the
foil of the Angel of Death.
However, we are straying from our subject.
The Gemara in Bava Basra reveals that the
Malach HaMaves is the same angel as the
Satan, the prosecutor, as well as the Yeitzer
Hara. And it is the Yeitzer Hara that we are
studying today. The Kli Yakar, zt”l, zy”a,
teaches that the Yeitzer Hara is called Samaei”l
because this name has the same letters as the

verb l’samei (spelled lammed-samach-mem-
alef) meaning to blind. That is the main

mission of the Yeitzer Hara: to blind us from
our true mission in this world.
By distracting us with the material pleasures
and the vast array of hedonistic distractions,
he strives to obfuscate our focus from the true
purposes of life. He tempts us with a movie
instead of a Gemara shiur, a new toy instead
of tzedakah, a fat Sunday morning newspaper
instead of maavir sedra.
When it says, “Vayei’aveik ish imo – And he
(the Angel) kicked-up dust,” it’s to create an
image like an ancient gladiator who throws a
fist of dirt at his enemy’s eyes in order to blind
him so that he can then impale him with his
sword.
So too, the Yeitzer Hara tries to convince
a young man that smoking is good for his

nerves, that vaping is cool and relaxing, and
drinking single-malt scotch is exciting and
sophisticated. When the smoker goes to an
early grave and the drinker misbehaves at
home or gets into an accident, the Yeitzer Hara
has succeeded at his mission.
Yaakov Avinu asked Samaei”l to tell him
his name. The Angel gives a queer answer:
“Lamah zeh tishal lishmi – Why do you ask
me for my name?” The Ramban says that
this was to inform Yaakov that he shouldn’t
ask the Angel’s name towards the purpose to
be able to call on him for help, as Jews never
ask for help from angels but only direct their
prayers to Hashem Himself. (It is for this
reason that the Vilna Gaon, the Chasam Sofer
and my Zeida, the Imrei Eish, did not sing
Shalom Aleichem on Friday nights in order to
refrain from saying to the angels, “Barachuni
l’shalom – Bless me with peace.” Why most
of the world does sing this verse is the subject
for another fascinating article.)
Rav Meir Shapiro, zt”l, zy”a, however
explains that the Angel said to Yaakov, “Why
do you ask me my name? I’m a master of
disguise. It’s my job to conceal who I really
am.” Indeed, the Yeitzer Hara makes himself
like your best friend, telling you it’s good
for your health to sleep later in the morning,
it’s refreshing to shoot the breeze and gossip
about other people, and it’s invigorating to be

involved in a good fight. He’s telling Yaakov,
“The last thing that I want you to know is who
I really am, That in Truth I’m your deadly
nemesis who wants to ensnare you in the
quicksand of machlokes, fighting, and ruin
you with the terrible habit of lashon hara.” He
whispers in our ears, “You shouldn’t let your
wife get away with this,” and, “Don’t let your
husband step all over you.” His true design is
to wreak havoc in your shalom bayis and strip
away the Shechinah from your home.
As the Gemara teaches us in Mashechtas
Berachos [5a], “L’olam yargiz adam Yeitzer
Tov al Yeitzer Hara – The wise person always
incites his good inclination against his evil
inclination,” and is always asking himself or
herself whether a particular idea is coming
from, a good place or a poisonous place.
In the merit of our sifting out the yetzer hora
from our behavior, may Hashem bless us
with long life, good health, and everything
wonderful.