By Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
CARLSBAD, California — This week we read the portion titled Pinchas. To understand Pinchas one must first look to last week’s portion, Balak.
Balak was the king who had hired the gentile prophet Bilaam to curse the Jewish people. Balak had already seen that the Jews could not be defeated by force of arms, so he sought Bilaam’s help to harm their spiritual connection to the Almighty, thus making them vulnerable. However, when Bilaam tried to curse the Jewish people, which was his way of breaking their spiritual connection with G-d, blessings were uttered instead.
Exasperated with Bilaam’s failure, Balak sent Bilaam on his way. But Bilaam had one final piece of advice about how to harm the Jews before taking his leave. He counseled Balak that his nation should send their daughters in to prostitute themselves amongst the Jews. And once the Jewish people became immorally involved with their women, the women should introduce the Jewish men to their form of idolatry.
This advice worked to a degree, as many Jewish, particularly from the tribe of Shimon and specifically the Prince of the Tribe of Shimon, succumbed to the temptation and spiritually lost their way. This led to a terrible plague in which tens of thousands of Jews died. Ultimately the Jewish army vanquished Balak and Bilaam died.
While the horrific plague was in its full strength one incredible person, Pinchas, knew what had to be done. He selflessly put himself in harm’s way to end the terrible desecration of G-d’s name that was taking place, and which had even rendered Moses, Aaron and the other leaders speechless. Many people reacted harshly to Pinchas. They called him unsavory names and belittled his family background. And yet, Almighty G-d blessed Pinchas for his bravery and blessed him with the priesthood.
The fact is that Pinchas’ decisiveness saved the day. He risked his life, but he knew that someone had to act, and so he did. Ironically, for his violent act, in putting to death Zimri and his paramour, led to a blessing of peace. Sometimes, when one is faced with an implacable enemy bent on one’s destruction at all costs, one must act forcefully to attain true peace.
In modern times I cannot help but see numerous parallels between the story of Pinchas and the situation in Israel. Hamas fires thousands of rockets targeting Israeli civilians. When Israel reacts by destroying the terrorists, the world reacts by blaming Israel. My belief tells me that Israel will be blessed with peace only when eradicating those who seek her complete destruction.
May TRUE peace come speedily in our days!
Wishing everyone an uplifting, joyous, and HEALTHY Shabbos!
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Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Coastal Chabads and Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes readers’ comments and questions and may be reached at RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com.