The Torah begins this week's parsha with the laws of warfare: “When you go out to war against your enemies.” Our Sages and later commentators teach that these words can also be understood as a reference to our greatest enemy—the yetzer hara, the evil inclination.
The Chovot HaLevavot describes the yetzer hara as a constant adversary. It works through confusion and false arguments, making us doubt what we know is right and causing us to lose sight of our true goals.
The Talmud tells of Rabbi Akiva, who survived a shipwreck by grabbing onto a plank and bowing his head whenever a wave came toward him.
Perhaps we can view that plank as a metaphor for Torah. Life constantly sends waves in our direction—temptations, distractions, and doubts. We cannot always stop the waves, but we can hold onto something that keeps us grounded.
The yetzer hara may never stop fighting us. Our job is to make sure we never let go of what keeps us afloat.