What Powers The Sitra Achra? Parashat Shemot

0:01...of the mitzvot that you just did, all of the Torah learning that you just did, all of the kedusha that you've gathered by protecting, by doing good. But, if you fell, now it just gave the Satan, the Sitra Achra, even more power. Hence, the reason why the sages teach that wasting seed is like avodah zarah. Pharaoh continues to fight. And he says, let's act wisely towards them, lest they become numerous. And it may be that if a war will occur to us, they too may join the enemy and go up from our land. Now logically, this doesn't make sense. If you're scared that the Jewish people are your enemy, then why wouldn't you want them to leave? You're saying they may be your enemy, they may join your other enemy, and then leave. If they're your enemy, the first thing you want them to do is to leave. Now of course, from a straightforward strategy perspective, removing those considered a threat makes more sense than allowing them to remain and potentially turn against you. This logic seems flawed in Pharaoh's approach, highlighting an inconsistency in his reasoning. This becomes a pivotal point in understanding the motivations and fears that defined Pharaoh's oppressive policies against the Israelites.

1:01that the Jewish people are your enemy, then why wouldn't you want them to leave? You're saying they may be your enemy, they may join your other enemy, and then leave. If they're your enemy, the first thing you want them to do is to leave. Now, of course, from a worldly perspective, we know that it's because all Paul wanted was simply more money. He wanted more material; he didn't want the Jewish people to leave. He wanted their own profits to leave and go to him. He wanted the Jewish production, the Jewish blessing, but all of it to go to him. Worldly perspective: We know that it's because all Paul wanted was simply more money. He wanted more material; he didn't want the Jewish people to leave. He wanted their own profits to leave and go to him. He wanted the Jewish production, the Jewish blessing, but all of it to go to him. This is not a unique thing; the same thing happened with all the enemies of Am Yisrael throughout the generations. They want to expel the Jews, but they want to keep all their possessions. Or they simply don't care if the Jews stay, as long as they don't continue thriving financially. However, they still want them to continue generating wealth for everyone else.

2:25On a deeper perspective, when it comes to the matter of kedusha, since we now know that on the side of kedusha, Yaakov and Yosef are representing it, but not Israel. The daughters of Israel are showing us some of these blessings because of their own modesty, as Am Yisrael preserves their blessing by keeping their names and maintaining their modesty. as far as their, uh, their clothing and also their language, they still continued speaking the holy language. But on the side of immorality, of impurity, we know that Mitzrayim had in its hands nine levels of impurity out of ten that were given to the entire world. As the Rambam says, a woman is not allowed to be with another woman. Because we learned that HaKadosh Baruch Hu finds that disgusting, as that's one of the reasons He punished Egypt. Because that's what they used to do. So now we see that Pharaoh is discussing war, but don't leave.

3:52So why would the Tum'a, the impurity, not want the Kedusha to leave? That's because, Rabotai Hakarim, the war between Kedusha and Tum'a is constant. If you're fighting for the sake of attaining Kedusha, you're gonna constantly fight against the Tum'a. But know this, that the Tum'a is not looking for you. to abandon learning Torah. The Satan doesn't want you to stop learning Torah. The Satan doesn't want you to stop keeping Shabbat, no. What does he want? He wants you to do all of those mitzvot but act immorally. Waste seed, watch pornography, wear something immodest, socialize with men that are not your husband, and do all types of things that are immoral while you're doing mitzvot. Why would the Satan want you to do that? Because just like Pharaoh says, there's a war, but I don't want them to leave. Do you know why I don't want them to leave? Because the tum'ah (impurity) needs the kedushah (holiness).

4:53...socialize with men who are not your husband, and engage in all types of activities that are immoral while you are performing mitzvot. Why would the Satan want you to do that? Because, just like Pharaoh says, there's a war, but I don't want them to leave. Do you know why I don't want them to leave? Because the Tumah needs the Kedusha. Because the Kedusha is the source of life, and without Kedusha existing, there is no world. Therefore, the Tuma specifically focuses on people who do mitzvot, who are religious, and who are learning Torah. People that are not learning Torah, the Tum'ah doesn't even bother with them. Why? They're already sinning by themselves. They're like on autopilot of sins. They sin by themselves. They do things immoral by themselves. They're addicted to sins all by themselves. The Satan doesn't have to influence them to go to bad places and look at bad things. They're already living a bad life. They're already living a purposeless life. Where does the Satan focus all of his energy?

6:13People that are learning too well and people that are keeping to align mitzvot. He sees you learning. Wow, look, she's watching shiur Torah every night. Look at that. Great. Great. Let her keep watching. Look at him. He studied for two hours today. Good job. Keep going. Keep going. This is not HaKadosh Baruch Hu saying at that point. This is a certain thing. Look, he just watched the Rabbi for two hours. Good job. Look, he just finished two dapim of Gemara. Good job. Keep going. Keep going. Keep learning. Keep doing mitzvot. Oh, look, they just gave some tzedakah to a homeless guy. They just supported a campaign over there to get some tzitziot. Good job. Keep doing mitzvot. Good. Why? I'm waiting for you around the corner. Build you up, fatten you up like a duck. Fatten you up like a little calf. Feed you, feed you, feed you. More mitzvot, more mitzvot. Why? Because around that corner, I'm waiting for you with a film of immorality. Around that corner, I'm waiting for you with an opportunity to sin with immorality.

7:39Take that date that was supposed to be too far. Take that conversation with the client too far. Take that opportunity too far. And when you fall, the Satan says, ah, now I got you. All of that Kedusha that you've gained, Hashem yishmor v'yatzil meHashem. Protect us and save us from this. All of the mitzvot that you just did, all of the tzedakah that you just did, all of the learning Torah that you just did, all of the Kedusha that you've gathered by protecting, by doing good, but you fell. Now, it just gave the Satan, the sitra achra, More power, hence the reason why the sages teach that wasting seed is like Avodah Zarah. It's not Avodah Zarah, but it's like Avodah Zarah. Why? It's like you gave a korban to the Satan. You walked around modest the whole year, two years you're covering your hair, two years you're covering your body, everything is good. But then one of your friends says, "We're having a wedding."

9:08Why don't you come? Okay, I'm coming. But I want you to be one of the bridesmaids. Okay, fine, I'll be a bridesmaid. Yeah, but I don’t want you to wear that shmatta on your head. What do you mean? I have to cover my hair; I'm married. Yeah, but you know, we can get you something else. What are you going to get me? You know, we can get you a wig that's longer than the galut (exile). One that makes you look more single than the bride. But worse yet, she got a new job. She's making a little bit of money, helping the family out. All of a sudden, the boss says, "Listen, we're having a meeting today after work. I want you to come. We’ll talk about promotions and bonuses." She worries, "Yeah, but I have my husband. He's waiting for me." The boss insists, "Listen, it's about promotions. First come, first serve." Oh, yeah, yeah, no, I'll come. Okay, she tells her husband, "Honey, I'm going to be a little late. I have to go to a promotion meeting." "Oh, okay, okay. Where is it? At the office?" "I don't know. It's somewhere around. It's nowhere near the office. It's at some bar." And before you know it, the boss says, "Listen, have a drink." "No, no, I'm not going to have a drink." "No, come on. We're talking about promotions. I was thinking about giving you a 25% raise."

10:33Twenty-five percent raised. Yeah. What are you drinking? What are you drinking? How much are you drinking? Yeah, have a little shot and before you know it, his hands all of a sudden, his eyes all of a sudden, everything all of a sudden, and guess what? My dear daughter of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, Hashem sees everything. Even if you did not commit the act altogether, you crossed the line. Remember all those mitzvot? Remember all that modesty? Remember all those things you did? The Satan just took all of it. The Satan just took all of it. So why did this happen? It happened because you allowed it to happen. Because you didn't realize that tumah needs kedushah. It's not just, oh, it's either Tumah or Kedushah. No, no, no. Tumah needs Kedushah. Hence the reason why Paro says, there's going to be a war, but I don't want them to leave. Why? I need them. They're my weapon. Yeah, but they're the enemy. No, they're not really the enemy. I need them to do mitzvot. It's just that once they finish doing the mitzvot, then I'm going to get them. Let them build.

12:02Let them build, let them learn, let them do good things. Yes, certainly. But if he comes and weighs C once a month, perfect. All of that accrues to me. She maintains modesty all month long, but then she decides to forget the kesuvah at home. She chooses to wear a dress that's as tight as her skin. She decides to engage in all sorts of activities that are not permitted. Because it's a business meeting? Guess what? Those mitzvot, now they went to the wrong side. Hashem yishmor v'yatzil. Hashem yishmor v'yatzil. Strong lectures, similar and different to the one that you heard tonight, are simply full of sources and brutal honesty that is effective. Tikun HaBrit, it has helped countless people get closer to Hashem. For the first time in their life, they heard that there are serious ramifications for their bad actions, whatever those bad actions are.