By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman
This week’s Parsha
Perspective is dedicated in memory of Elka
bas Zisel OBM
Dedicated in memory
of Leah bas Rochel OBM
Pinchas, the hero of
this week’s Torah portion, Pinchas (Bamidbor [Numbers]
25:10-30:1) was previously unheard of. Though as a grandson of Aaron he
belonged to the “royal family,” he was an unseeded young man, who, with a
single act of bravery was catapulted to stardom.The Talmud (Sanhedrin 82a)
tells the behind the scenes story. Zimri, a prince of the tribe
of Shimon, publicly flaunts his intimate relationship with a heathen
Midianite princess. Moses is momentarily stymied. Pinchas
respectfully reminds Moses that he himself taught the principle that one who
behaves as Zimri did may be executed by the zealous. Moses responds that since
Pinchas remembered this, he, Pinchas, should be the one to actually carry it
out. Pinchas duly does just that and the terrible plague that had taken the
lives of thousands is stilled. G-d blesses Pinchas with His Covenant
of Peace and Pinchas goes down in history as the hero who saved the day.
Now Pinchas could
have thought: Here stand Moses and Aaron, other prominent elders and
leaders and they are all silent. Who, then, am I to step forward? Surely I must
keep quiet and hold my peace.
But Pinchas did not
say that. And thank G-d he didn’t. Had he kept his silence, the plague might
not have been averted and Pinchas would have remained a non-entity.
This, says
the Lubavitcher Rebbe, serves a powerful lesson to all of us. If
you witnesses a situation where you feel that you can make a
difference, then you must. And the fact that greater people than you seem
paralyzed should not necessarily mean that you too should remain idle. Perhaps
you are earmarked for greatness and G-d is opening your window of opportunity.
Deny yourself this moment and you deny destiny.
Sometimes the moment
is yours. Sometimes greater people may vacillate and the responsibility and
opportunity rest with you and you alone. Each of us has so much unlocked
potential. Rare and precious are those crossroads of life when the chance to
unleash that inner calling presents itself.
Similarly we find
this thought played out in the story
of Purim. The Megillah records how
Queen Esther is asked by Mordechai to intercede with
King Achashverus on behalf of her people. She explains that she fears
this may be absolutely suicidal for her. Mordechai responds with rather strong
words, Relief and deliverance will come for the Jews from another place,
and you and your father’s house will perish. What Mordechai was telling
Esther was that the chance to single handedly save one’s entire nation doesn’t
present itself every day. It is a unique moment and ought to be seized. If you
won’t do it, someone else will; but this once in a lifetime opportunity may be
lost to you forever.
Pinchas reminds us
that when opportunity knocks we should open the door quickly. Do not hesitate.
Destiny may be beckoning.
(Excerpts
from Chabad.org - from Rabbi Yossy Goldman)
May you
have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos !
If you would like to dedicate the weekly Parsha Perspective in honor or memory of a person or occasion, please contact Rabbi Shusterman at yshusterman@chedermonsey.org
