Parshat Pinchas
This parsha can inspire us to break down barriers and challenge ourselves, if we act with the most positive agenda.
We read in last week’s parsha about Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, who risked his life by killing a high-ranking Israelite Official for cavorting with a Mideanite woman, a non-Jew, in front of the Tabernacle. He was angered that Hashem’s commandments were being ignored and felt that justice needed to be done.
Interestingly, at the beginning of this parsha, Hashem rewards him for his actions, and he is given “the covenant of Peace” by Hashem.
It is clear that Pinchas did cross boundaries, performing a killing, neglecting to create a ‘court-like’ setting. Yet he remained within Torah boundaries.
Should Pinchas be seen as someone exemplifying only negative and critical attributes, judging others and wrongly taking matters into his own hands, or as a man whose essence is peaceful and positive? How can he be seen as a man who ultimately exemplifies love, much like his grandfather, Aaron, who unified warring peoples and spread kindness?
It was the way that he acted, seeing this as a desperate act in a desperate situation; the last way to redeem G‑d’s commandments and ultimately spread harmony, that makes it ‘the right thing’ according to The Rebbe.
What can we learn from this? That sometimes, breaking through barriers is the only way to create love and positive change. Change is created by living the Torah life and expressing ‘Ahavat Yisrael’ - to love our fellow Jews as ourselves. Pinchas did take lives, but acted with a positive agenda in mind, which made the act a right one.
There are boundaries broken everywhere, for the right reasons. Through challenging ourselves and others, making spiritual and practical leaps of faith in our own lives, we can come one step closer to bringing the Moshiach. If we just take on one more mitzvah today, welcome someone new into our home, to our Shabbos table, we can slowly change the world around us, and bring godliness down to earth.
