After the miraculous departure from Egypt, and Hashem's salvation at the Red Sea, Parashat Behalotcha

concludes with Amalak's savage and surprise attack against Bnei Yisroel. The Torah tells that that during this battle Moshe stood at the top of a nearby hill and as long as his hands were raised upwards Bnei Yisroel was successful in defending themselves against the Amalakites (17:11).
 

The Mishna in Mesechet Rosh Hashana (29a) questions the nature of this miracle. "Can Moshe's arms make or break war? Rather, this teaches you that whenever Israel would look upward and subjugate their hearts to their Father in heaven, they would overpower, otherwise, they would fall." The Mishna explains that Moshe's arms did not serve as some magic device that enabled Benei Yisrael to defeat the Amalekites. They rather directed the solider's attention to Hashem, in the merit of which they were granted victory.

 Based on this passage, the Ketav Sofer explains that Bnei Yisroel's victory hinged on their subjugation  to G-d and the purity of their mission. Too often, confrontations that begin with sincere motives quickly deteriorate into battles of personal satisfaction, vengeance, and vindication. By focusing their gaze on the heavens, Bnei Yisroel were reminded of the Divine nature of their task.

As a people, we are the bearers of a great Mesorah passed to us directly from Moshe Rabbeinu. As the progenitors of this great tradition, we are often called on to defend our beliefs and ideals. This Mishna reminds us that it is important to vindicate our heritage, but that we must do so with our hearts turned upward, out of pure, genuine devotion to the divine will and never fall into the trap of arguing out of personal pride and ego.