DIVREI TORAH ON PARSHAS PINCHAS
Towards the beginning of this Parsha the Torah lists the different families of each Shevet. There are several families who are missing from the original families listed in Bereishas when Yaakov and his family went down to Mitzraim. Rashi (26/13) explains that when Aharon died, several Shevotim tried to return to Mitzraim, and the Leviim fought to prevent them. Shevet Levi lost four families during the battle.
Many people are raised with the impression that they will never get hurt for doing what is right. I think that many Hashgocho Protis (Hashem’s intervention) stories echo the message that everything will immediately fall into place, when people do the right things. (If someone gives up a profit by keeping Shabbos, he will receive the same amount in another form, as early as Sunday morning.)
The Leviim did the right thing by defending Hashem’s will, and fighting against those other families. Nevertheless, they were killed. People aren’t reminded often enough that some of them will/may have to pay the “price” for even doing what is right. Being raised to believe that bad things don’t happen to people who do good deeds, can cause people to become disillusioned, especially when they find themselves with a financial, or other, loss, after doing what was right.
Our generation needs to hear an abundance of upbeat messages about Hasgocho Protis stories. However, they also need a sprinkling of reality. Sacrificing for Hashem, and Torah, may actually require them to make a sacrifice, when things don’t, immediately “work out”.
Many people are raised with the impression that they will never get hurt for doing what is right. I think that many Hashgocho Protis (Hashem’s intervention) stories echo the message that everything will immediately fall into place, when people do the right things. (If someone gives up a profit by keeping Shabbos, he will receive the same amount in another form, as early as Sunday morning.)
The Leviim did the right thing by defending Hashem’s will, and fighting against those other families. Nevertheless, they were killed. People aren’t reminded often enough that some of them will/may have to pay the “price” for even doing what is right. Being raised to believe that bad things don’t happen to people who do good deeds, can cause people to become disillusioned, especially when they find themselves with a financial, or other, loss, after doing what was right.
Our generation needs to hear an abundance of upbeat messages about Hasgocho Protis stories. However, they also need a sprinkling of reality. Sacrificing for Hashem, and Torah, may actually require them to make a sacrifice, when things don’t, immediately “work out”.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
Pinchos is given a Bris Sholom, a treaty of peace, with Hashem, as a reward for his killing ZImri and stopping the plague that enveloped Klal Yisroel. Pinchos certainly deserved a reward for what he did, but peace would seem to be a misplaced reward for killing two people, even if it was done for the right reasons.
Understanding this requires an accurate definition of Sholom. Sholom, peace, is similar to the word Sholaim, whole. To be whole requires two conditions; nothing to be missing and nothing extra. Imagine a ball that is missing a piece, or has something attached to it. It won’t be able to roll properly.
That is why the Torah, in parshas Eikev, discusses Baal Tigra and Baal Tosef, the issue of subtracting or adding something to a Mitzvoh, such as having only 3 Tzitzis, or adding a fifth, in the same Posuk. Both remove the Mitzvoh of Tzitzis’s Shelaimus, its wholeness.
For Klal Yisorel to be whole, and have peace, requires the removal of anything extra. The killing of Zimri, which seems to be an act of violence, was really an act to bring Shelaimus back to Klal Yisroel, and which then brought back Sholom.
Any aggressive move on the part of individuals, requires that they ask a Rebbi, advisor etc. before they act on it, just as Pinchos asked Moshe Rabbeinu before approaching ZImri. People must realize that what is being asked of them may not always be an act of pleasantry and kindness. Shelaimus requires thought in “both directions”, whether they have to add or subtract.
What people should strive for is true Sholom. This is especially important in the Chinuch of children, but it is also applicable to adults. The right decision may require acts of kindness, but it may also require people to act tough, and even callous. In some cases acting callous may be an act of Sholom, which is why Pinchus merited a Bris of Sholom.
Understanding this requires an accurate definition of Sholom. Sholom, peace, is similar to the word Sholaim, whole. To be whole requires two conditions; nothing to be missing and nothing extra. Imagine a ball that is missing a piece, or has something attached to it. It won’t be able to roll properly.
That is why the Torah, in parshas Eikev, discusses Baal Tigra and Baal Tosef, the issue of subtracting or adding something to a Mitzvoh, such as having only 3 Tzitzis, or adding a fifth, in the same Posuk. Both remove the Mitzvoh of Tzitzis’s Shelaimus, its wholeness.
For Klal Yisorel to be whole, and have peace, requires the removal of anything extra. The killing of Zimri, which seems to be an act of violence, was really an act to bring Shelaimus back to Klal Yisroel, and which then brought back Sholom.
Any aggressive move on the part of individuals, requires that they ask a Rebbi, advisor etc. before they act on it, just as Pinchos asked Moshe Rabbeinu before approaching ZImri. People must realize that what is being asked of them may not always be an act of pleasantry and kindness. Shelaimus requires thought in “both directions”, whether they have to add or subtract.
What people should strive for is true Sholom. This is especially important in the Chinuch of children, but it is also applicable to adults. The right decision may require acts of kindness, but it may also require people to act tough, and even callous. In some cases acting callous may be an act of Sholom, which is why Pinchus merited a Bris of Sholom.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
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