By Rabbi Abraham Unger, Ph.D.
Executive Director
This Week’s Torah Portion
Zealotry and Peace
One might think that an extreme action has no place in peace-seeking. Fanatical behavior, it seems, cannot create an environment that builds the trust needed for compromise. Yet, the Torah tells a tale of zealotry this week for which it clearly holds admiration. A character named Pinchos acts in the most zealous fashion, yet he receives reward. How can this be?
Pinchos saw a depth of immorality he could not brook. Moses was frozen, having forgotten the law. Pinchos jumped in and literally saved the Jewish people and its tradition from an idolatry so subversive that all would have been lost. This prospective loss is made that much greater given it could have happened in the freedom of the desert, not in the slavery of Egypt. Pinchos is even given a special covenant of peace by G-d, though his actions caused loss.
What does this covenant of peace mean? Pinchos was a Cohen, a grandson of Aaron, Moses’ older brother and the first High Priest of the Jewish people. Aaron’s own life was lived as a “Rodef Shalom,” a pursuer of peace. He even took upon himself the tragic trespass of the Golden Calf to avoid conflict. Pinchos went in the opposite direction – that of fervor and refusal to accept the norm – to regain peace among the Children of Israel. His aim was to honor our Torah, honor its adherents, and ensure its longevity.
We live in a world of starkly opposing views to which many cling zealously. Each cohort seems to have its absolute truths. Judaism says, “Not so fast.” Each situation is different, each context demands its own resolution, so let us not become fixed in our ways. Pinchos chose one way, that of quick passionate response, while others may choose more dispassionate, slower-moving ways of making change. However, as long as all seek to bring people even closer together, with a shared sense of honor and purpose, the cause of peace—the covenant of “Shalom” that Pinchos was granted—holds steady and true.
Weekly Parenting Message from the Parsha
Authentic Leadership
In education it is vital that each child be seen. This phrase means teachers and administrators should try to understand the whole person. After all, the Talmud suggests that every individual is a world.
In this week’s Shabbat Torah portion Moses’ successor is confirmed. Joshua, whom Moses ordains as his successor, will lead the Jewish people back to the Holy Land. He is the one prepared to stand with the Children of Israel on the cusp of their regained sovereignty. Why?
The commentator Rashi writes that an authentic leader must be able to “relate to each person according to their disposition.” Every member of the leader’s community must be seen, just as a teacher must see their students in full. How else can anyone feel – and then act – as part of a community? It is the leader’s job to elicit each person’s truth. This is also our responsibility as parents. In a way, we are all Joshuas, trying to draw out the best of our children’s potential. We can only do that if we really see them as they are, and then build upon that to offer them a life of meaning and wonder.