This week, I had the honour of meeting Big Mike (tm). Big Mike seems to be more famous then I originally thought, since I've heard about him from so many different types of people. Who is this Big Mike? Well, he's a former college football player, who became frum, married with a child, and living and learning in Israel. Oh yes, he's also approximately HUGE and eats two bus loads of children for breakfast everyday. When I mean HUGE, I mean he makes Andre The Giant, look like a mouse. Of course, due to the fact he looks scary as anything, he happens to be one of the nicest people around. I met him at a sheva brochos that I went to, and had the opportunity of sitting near him. For a little fun, he took the umbrella from the fruit cocktail, and placed it in his hair next to the ear. He chuckled and said in a mega-bass voice, "You know...the greatest thing about being a person of my size, is that you get to do whatever you want". We all got a good laugh at that; but I gave it a little more thought. Not only is it true on the physical level, it's also true on the spiritual level. The more a person grows, the less he can care about how others below him think. Interesting theory, no? Okay, on to Torah!
Over the past few weeks, I've received a few complaints from people that I haven't sent out anything too fanatical to get them thinking. So, I figured this week was a good week to do so. So, if you have a weak stomach or don't like hearing pieces of Torah that might make you re-examine what your original concept of Judaism might be, this is my official warning. This week’s dvar torah is based off of a schmooze, given by my Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Asher Rubenstein. Okay, let's get to it.
"Pinchus son of Elazar son of Aharon the Kohen, was the one who zealously took up My cause among the Jewish people and turned My anger away from them, so that I did not destroy them.... Therefore, tell him that I have given him My covenant of peace..." (Numbers 25:11-12)
At the end of last week's parsha, a prominent Jew named Zimri, in public and in complete defiance to the Torah, had relations with a Midianite woman named, Cozbi. At the time, nobody did anything, until Pinchas took a sword and killed them both. This weeks parsha is named "Pinchas" and begins with Hashem rewarding Pinchas for his zealousness. Rashi writes, that the Jewish people immediately started to wonder about Pinchas and attacking him for his zealousness. One of his grandfathers, was Aharon. The other grandfather was Yisro, a convert who used to worship idols.
Who was Aharon, besides Moshe's brother and Kohen Gadol? Aharon's number one characteristic was peace and love for his fellow Jew. It was known that Aharon would go out of his way to see that two enemies became friends. If he saw somebody who didn't keep Shabbos or kosher, he would go up to him and give him the biggest Shalom Aleichem. He would not condone the person's behaviour, but he would still treat him as a human being deserved to be treated. The Jewish people loved Aharon greatly, because of this love that he showed them.
Given this background, we can understand why the people would be clamoring against Pinchas. It's obvious to everybody that Pinchas' "zealousness", came from the side of his idol-worshipping grandfather. Hence, his "zealousness" was not zealousness at all, but rather a cover for a hot temper! It's impossible that he could have received such an attitude from Aharon's side, since Aharon would never have done such a thing!
So, in order to find the truth, we look into the Torah; and what does the Torah say? "Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon the Kohen..."
That's right. Hashem is re-affirming that the action of Pinchas did in fact come from his grandfather, Aharon! But how could that be?!?! Aharon was known for his love for PEACE!!! How can anything like killing two people come from him???
Well, let's continue with the pasuk, "...was the one who zealously took up My cause among the Jewish people and turned My anger away from them, so that I did not destroy them"
Well, according to G-d, Pinchas' act was not only accepted by Hashem, but also saved the Jewish people from being destroyed! Why were the Jewish people set for destruction? Because a desecration of Hashem was being done in public and nobody did a thing. They sat back and watched. For allowing such a thing to take place, they forfeited their lives. It was only the act of Pinchas, who took a stand that atoned for the nation. The Torah spells out Pinchas' lineage to show one thing: that he was acting just as Aharon, the lover of peace, would have acted.
What is Shalom (peace)? Unfortunately, today the word has been twisted around. People love to use the words "peace", "compromise", and "tolerant" to describe themselves and their goals. Many groups who wish to change around the Torah often say that they only want "peace" and that those "right-wing fanatics", need to learn about compromise and being tolerant.
Aharon actually made that mistake once before. When the Jewish people were building the golden calf, they came to Aharon and asked him to build it for them. Knowing that if he refused they would kill him, and they in turn would be killed by Hashem, Aharon compromised and said 'yes', hoping to stall them enough for Moshe to return. What happened? Hashem told Moshe that He planned to wipe out the Jewish people! What helped avert this massacre? Moshe and the tribe of Levi, took their swords, and killed all those who were guilty!
Aharon was willing to compromise on the Torah. For this one action, he helped set the Jewish people up for destruction. Obviously, Aharon learned his lesson and repented.
So again. What is Shalom? Shalom is peace between G-d and the Jewish nation. This is accomplished in two ways, both being as essential as the other. Between G-d and man, peace is achieved through the uncompromising acceptance of the Torah. Between man and man, peace is achieved through love and compromise between Jews on a personal level. Aharon was the epitome of shalom between man and man. Pinchas was the epitome of shalom between G-d and man. Both are equally important.
But the lesson of this week's parsha, is a very simple fact. There is no compromise when it comes down to Torah. If one truly wants Shalom to exist, instead of waving the word around mindlessly, they need to understand this important point. In order for Shalom to exist, we cannot 'reform-ize', 'conservitize', 'modernize', or any other '-ize', that which Hashem gave us. When we sit back and allow such compromises, we see through the Torah that every time we do so, we are putting our very lives in danger. It took a "right-wing fanatic" to bring us back on track.
Now we have one small question. Pinchas took a sword and killed the two people committing a sin. Does that mean every time we see some sin we are obligated to take such a strong action. The answer is obviously no. Why? Because the Torah states, "the one who zealously took up My cause". Being that, the intention the Pinchas had was 100% for Hashem, not 99%, but 100%. In order to take up any 'zealousness' against others, one needs to have 100% pure Hashem intention!!! That means none of us, can do such a thing, since none of us can have such intention! This rule also explains why Moshe did not do anything.
When Zimri approached Moshe wish Cozbi in tow, he asked Moshe, "Am I allowed to take this woman from Midian?"
Moshe replied, "No"
"Then, how do you explain your behaviour for taking a non-Jewish woman as your wife?", Zimri asked (yes, Moshe's wife, did convert)
Zimri didn't simply attack the Torah, but he also personally attacked Moshe. Meaning, it was very possible that if Moshe DID take some action, he might have had some personal motive involved. So, if Moshe could not muster up 100% Hashem-orientation, we certainly cannot. So action is out of the picture completely.
When do we compromise for peace? When we have personal differences. We see a modern day example of the willingness to compromise for peace concerning Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky.
There are two traditions at a Jewish wedding on how the bride and groom are brought to the chuppah. One tradition is for each set of parents to bring up their children. Another tradition is for the groom to be brought up by both fathers, and the bride to be brought up by both mothers. When Rav Kaminetsky was asked what tradition he followed, he replied "Both". In order to alleviate any trouble, he left the decision to his children's future in-laws. This is when you compromise for peace.
When do you not compromise for peace? When people attack the Torah, offering 'upgrades' and changes to make it friendlier to the 'modern man'. When the Torah is being publicly shamed, that is when we do not make compromises! That is when we become a "stiff-necked" people! How do we take a stand? Not by violence, but by becoming "right-wing fanatics" and clinging stronger to Torah and mitzvos, and by making sure that we do not contaminate our beliefs with the non-Jewish beliefs mentioned above.
It is the job of the Torah-loyal man and woman to show love to their fellow Jew of all stripes, but show a firm hand against the desecration of the Torah. It is his or her obligation to continue to learn and grow according to G-d's ways that were given to us 3300 years ago. May we all have to strength to fulfill our obligations. With that, I wish you all a great Shabbos!