War and peace. They seem to be the epitome of opposites, don't they? The one seems to negate the other, right? Well, not necessarily. Peace, in fact, is often the end product, rather than the antonym, of war.
Pinchas, in last week's sedra, engaged in an act of war. He speared both Zimri and Cozbi as they desecrated the Mishkan, killing them both. It was a violent act, particularly for a Kohen, and it was done in full view of Moshe and Aharon, who chose not to act. The people clamor for Pinchas's head, but HaShem stops them and declares: "Pinchas has saved the people from My anger, and so I award him with the covenant of Peace."
While a Kohen is normally disqualified from service to G-d if he kills someone, Pinchas is told he will not only remain a Kohen, but that all Kohanim G'dolim in the future will be descended from him.
The vindication of Pinchas reminds us that in the real world - especially for a Jew - we have to often fight for serenity and scream for silence, as strange as that sounds. We have to sometimes go beyond our usual role, transcending our natural tendencies and inclinations - like Pinchas the Priest had to do - in order to secure the future.
That is exactly what Israel has been compelled to do in this latest war in our north and south. There is simply no compromise with terror, and no simple way to destroy it. But silence and inactivity are certainly not going to do the job. Only the determination to spear it right in the gut has a chance to wipe out this scourge of humanity.
"Terror", you know, is a Hebrew word. It comes from our parsha, right in this story: "Tzror et HaMidyanim," says HaShem. "Terrorize the Midianites." In English, there is no letter for tzadee, so we often use a "tz" or just a "t." Tzror, then, comes out as "terror."
Zimri's brazen act was an act of terror, an attempt to de-stabilize the nation by making us believe that we were vulnerable anywhere - even in the Mishkan. So, HaShem says, in effect, 'Do the same to them. Attack Midian anywhere and everywhere, where they least expect it, until they are destroyed.'
The name "Pinchas" at the start of the sedra is spelled with a small yud and the word shalom with a small vav. These two letters, yud and vav, are a name of G-d, and perhaps indicate that HaShem's name is made smaller when we have to resort to force in order to effect peace. But at the same time, the message is that, though less than ideal, the fight against evil is still a Divine directive.
May HaShem give strength and success to our brave soldiers and send peace to Am Yisrael. Please be sure that, in your synagogue, a special prayer is said for the welfare of the IDF soldiers.
Pinchas, in last week's sedra, engaged in an act of war. He speared both Zimri and Cozbi as they desecrated the Mishkan, killing them both. It was a violent act, particularly for a Kohen, and it was done in full view of Moshe and Aharon, who chose not to act. The people clamor for Pinchas's head, but HaShem stops them and declares: "Pinchas has saved the people from My anger, and so I award him with the covenant of Peace."
While a Kohen is normally disqualified from service to G-d if he kills someone, Pinchas is told he will not only remain a Kohen, but that all Kohanim G'dolim in the future will be descended from him.
The vindication of Pinchas reminds us that in the real world - especially for a Jew - we have to often fight for serenity and scream for silence, as strange as that sounds. We have to sometimes go beyond our usual role, transcending our natural tendencies and inclinations - like Pinchas the Priest had to do - in order to secure the future.
That is exactly what Israel has been compelled to do in this latest war in our north and south. There is simply no compromise with terror, and no simple way to destroy it. But silence and inactivity are certainly not going to do the job. Only the determination to spear it right in the gut has a chance to wipe out this scourge of humanity.
"Terror", you know, is a Hebrew word. It comes from our parsha, right in this story: "Tzror et HaMidyanim," says HaShem. "Terrorize the Midianites." In English, there is no letter for tzadee, so we often use a "tz" or just a "t." Tzror, then, comes out as "terror."
Zimri's brazen act was an act of terror, an attempt to de-stabilize the nation by making us believe that we were vulnerable anywhere - even in the Mishkan. So, HaShem says, in effect, 'Do the same to them. Attack Midian anywhere and everywhere, where they least expect it, until they are destroyed.'
The name "Pinchas" at the start of the sedra is spelled with a small yud and the word shalom with a small vav. These two letters, yud and vav, are a name of G-d, and perhaps indicate that HaShem's name is made smaller when we have to resort to force in order to effect peace. But at the same time, the message is that, though less than ideal, the fight against evil is still a Divine directive.
May HaShem give strength and success to our brave soldiers and send peace to Am Yisrael. Please be sure that, in your synagogue, a special prayer is said for the welfare of the IDF soldiers.