Conflict. The definition usually includes two separate entities fighting against each other. When we hear of the conflict in this week’s Torah portion, we see that it is the struggle of two babies inside their mother’s womb, fighting to get out, belying their individuality long before their birth. This clear conflict is an epic portrayal of the inner war we constantly wage to choose right over wrong, good over evil. The internal battle is strong, the fiercest of all fights. There is no external enemy, just our own triumphs and failures, both of which we must live with forevermore. The stakes are high. As they say, “the struggle is real”. 

Some people fight the battle when they feel like it and just let things slide when they don’t. Some people use every single decision on a daily basis as ammunition to choose what is right at every turn. That’s what Azi, zt”l did. He didn’t wait for the conflict to begin; he prepared himself for any and every situation so that when a choice did come his way, he didn’t waver at all. For example, if people spoke loshon hara near Azi, he simply walked away. He did not wait, he did not get upset, he simply walked away.

We all face choices on a constant basis; not always do the choices require such a strong inner conflict. If we can brace ourselves beforehand, prepare for the choices we know are coming, perhaps we can do what’s right without creating an exhausting internal struggle.

Make the choice and go with it!