25 Jun STRATEGIC MILITARY PREPARATION: LESSONS FROM TORAH AND HISTORY

While the winds of
war blow harder
every day, Israel is
preparing for the
northern front with
Hezbollah in
Lebanon. As always, everything that our
nation faces is guided by our Torah and
sages, and we should learn from their
wisdom to have a correct outlook on what
to do and how to properly prepare. In our
parasha (Shelach), Moshe sends the spies
to the Land of Israel. What is the purpose
of their mission? The Ramban explains (in
the beginning of Parasha), that before
conquering a country or preparing for war,
there must be extensive and detailed
preparation, including collecting
intelligence about the enemy and the
territory one wants to conquer. Otherwise,
going to fight a war blindly raises the
chances of failure and getting defeated.
Thus, Moshe Rabbeinu sends twelve spies
to learn about the enemy. He gives them a
lengthy and detailed task to complete the
mission effectively.
The purpose of this approach is rooted in
King Shlomo’s wisdom, as he says: “’with
trickery you should fight wars and by wise
advice you shall be victorious” (Mishlei
24:6). This teaches us that wars must be
meticulously planned and prepared for.
Such strategic preparation often gives an
advantage to the side that initiates the
attack, allowing them to strike first and
capitalize on the surprises they have
prepared. Conversely, the side being
attacked is typically caught off guard and
left at a significant disadvantage.
Let’s learn from Moshe’s advice to the
spies and see what can be implemented for
the upcoming war.
To learn correctly, we will use the
explanations of the commentaries.
The parasha opens with the following
psukim:
“When Moshe sent them to scout the land
of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there
into the Negeb and on into the hill country,
and see what kind of country it is. Are the
people who dwell in it strong or weak, few
or many? Is the country in which they
dwell good or bad? Are the towns they live
in open or fortified? Is the soil rich or
poor? Is it wooded or not?”
Geography effects:
Moshe asks the spies to find out the
following: first, learn about the nature of

the area across the border where the fight
will first take place in order to prepare the
correct arms (Rashbam).
In different war settings, specific arms and
vehicles are more effective depending on
the terrain and combat conditions. Here
are a few examples from our times:
Urban Warfare:
– Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers
(APCs): These are highly maneuverable
and well-armored, making them suitable
for urban environments where quick,
precise movements are necessary.
Mountainous Terrain:
– Lightweight Tanks: These are more agile
and can navigate rough, uneven terrains
better than heavier models.
– Helicopters: These can be used for air

support and reconnaissance in difficult-to-
reach mountainous regions.

Forest and Jungle Combat:

– Jungle Patrol Vehicles: Lightweight, all-
terrain vehicles that can navigate through

thick underbrush and narrow paths.
Accordingly, Moshe Rabenu wanted to
know what geographic land they were
entering to ensure they were equipped
with the correct equipment and arms.
Climate:
Another important factor to consider is the
weather in the land (Or Hachayim).
Preparing for war correctly must take into
consideration the weather, as it can delay
the progress of the war and often cause
those who aren’t familiar with it to be
defeated. For example:
– Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia: In 1812,
Napoleon’s Grand Army invaded Russia
but was not prepared for the harsh Russian
winter. The severe cold, snow, and lack of
supplies decimated his troops, leading to a
disastrous retreat and significant losses.
– German Army in Russian Winter: During
World War II, the German Army faced
similar challenges during their invasion of
the Soviet Union. The harsh winter
conditions, including extreme cold, deep
snow, and frozen equipment, severely
hindered their progress and contributed to
their defeat on the Eastern Front.
These historical examples demonstrate the
critical importance of weather
considerations in military planning.
Learning the Borders
Moshe also commanded them to study the

borders carefully to
determine the best location
to attack first (Ramban,
Hezkuni). In other words,
they needed to identify the
most vulnerable area that
could be besieged first to
penetrate the enemy
defenses. Understanding
that once they penetrated
the enemy territory, it would
be easier to continue their
progress through the rest of
the land.
Assessing the Strength of the
Incumbents
Moshe also instructed them to assess the
strength of the native enemy, though this
was challenging given the short duration
of their mission (Bamidbar 13, 18).
Therefore, Moshe provided guidance on
how to distinguish between strong and
weak adversaries. He advised them to
observe the construction of the cities,
explaining that cities surrounded by high
walls indicated weakness because strong
nations would not require such extensive
fortifications. Conversely, cities without
walls suggested strength and confidence
(Rashi). Understanding the power and
strength of the enemy would determine the
necessary arms, number of soldiers, and
strategic techniques needed to enter enemy
territory and conduct the campaign
effectively.
Other ways to assess whether the enemy is
strong or weak include observing the
condition of their land. A green, fruitful,
and flourishing landscape often produces
strong and healthy inhabitants, as people
are products of their environment (Sforno).
Conversely, a dry and fruitless land may
result in weak and malnourished
individuals. Additionally, they should
consider the size of the population. A
healthy society typically has a large
population with many children and large
families. In contrast, a weak society is
usually less populated for various reasons,
such as migration in search of better living
conditions, indicating societal
vulnerability and susceptibility to
devastation.
Spiritual strength
Moshe Rabenu also instructed the spies to
determine if the enemy had righteous
individuals who could spiritually protect
them. For example, in the generation of
Iyov, his righteousness protected his

community (Rashi). This teaches us that
even a righteous gentile can have a
significant influence that may affect the
success of our mission. The Zohar
(Shemot, Vaera 32) also mentions this
concept, suggesting that Muslims have
maintained control over the land of Israel
for a long time due to their observance of
brit milah (circumcision). This illustrates
that even when performed by a gentile,
positive actions can merit spiritual
influence and impact outcomes.
Social Intervention: Strategies and Impact
Another tool in preparation for war is to
devastate the enemy from within. How is
this done? The same way the enemy does
to America and Israel. In both countries,
millions of dollars are spent to fund
anarchists such as Antifa and BDS to take
to the streets and cause disorder and terror.
When you ruin a country from within and
create division, your fight becomes much
easier.
Similarly, the social unrest in Israel
preceding the Gaza war was dividing the
country in a devastating way. The large
demonstrations were well-funded by
powers that are anti-Israel.
In last week’s parasha, we read that as the
Aron traveled ahead of Am Yisrael, they
would pray that Hashem should rise and
scatter our enemies (Bamidbar 10, 35).
“Scatter the enemy” means exactly what
we explained—causing them to be
ununited and divided. How this can be
done requires much thought, but it starts
with this very prayer to Hashem and
continues with finding ways to achieve
this division.
This was a small glimpse of what we can
glean from our parasha on the preparation
for war. Anyone familiar with the
magnificent intelligence work of the
Mossad knows that they are preparing
well in many different avenues for the war
with Lebanon.