Pinchas’s Self-Sacrifice: “Those Who Honor Me, I Will Honor.”
In this week’s Torah Portion, Parshat Pinchas, Pinchas acted with astounding self-sacrifice to defend Hashem’s honor. A well-respected Jewish leader was openly sinning with a Midianite prince, a tremendous desecration of God’s name. Pinchas courageously grabbed a spear and lunged at them, killing them both.
His action wasn’t popular; yet that didn’t stop him. Stopping the desecration of Hashem’s name was his only concern. For this, he was greatly rewarded with the great privilege of serving as a Kohen for himself and his descendants. This reward was measure for measure. Since he defended Hashem’s honor, all his descendants were rewarded with the special honorable status of being Kohanim (Ohr HaChayim).
Rashi (Bamidbar 25:12) explains that Hashem wanted to express His tremendous gratitude to Pinchas for defending His name and thus stopping the plague. When someone is benefitted by his friend, he will do something to express his appreciation for the favor. So too, Hashem expressed His gratitude to Pinchas. The source for this is the verse in Shmuel I (2:30), “Those who honor Me, I will honor.” Rashi explains that this specifically refers to Pinchas, who was rewarded for defending Hashem’s honor.
Withstanding Temptation: The Greatness of Our Generation
We learn from Pinchas that when one acts with self-sacrifice, with determination to do what is right despite social pressure, it is strongly appreciated by Hashem and they will be greatly rewarded. This is especially true for those who faithfully observe Torah and mitzvot in our challenging generation. The Arizal teaches that even a small mitzvah in our generation is equal to many great mitzvot performed in other generations, as we have many more negative temptations to withstand!
We also see this idea when Yaakov (Jacob) discovered that his beloved son Yosef (Joseph) was still alive. He exclaimed, “I shall go and see him before I die (Bereishit 45:28)”. The Chafetz Chaim asks: Why was Yaakov so insistent that he see Yosef before he died? Surely, he would see him in the next world? He answers that Yaakov knew that Yosef was on such a high level, having survived the temptations of Egypt, that he was concerned that maybe he would not merit to see him in the next world.
Adding on to this idea, Rav Yerucham Levovitz teaches that the later generations will be more worthy to greet the Mashiach than earlier ones, and those who diligently apply themselves to Torah study are greater than the Gedolim of previous generations! When we stay strong through observing the Torah and keeping mitzvot despite social pressures, we cannot fathom how much Hashem appreciates this. Each time we avoid speaking lashon hara, each time we avoid looking at something we shouldn’t, is something immeasurably priceless, and cherished by Hashem.
A Soldier, a Hen, and a Handshake: The Chafetz Chaim’s Eye for Hidden Greatness
The Chafetz Chaim used to travel to different cities in Eastern Europe, selling his many works. One time, when visiting Vilna, he went to a certain inn. He noticed a well-built man, who seemed to lack basic etiquette, lift up an entire hen and stuff the whole thing into his mouth, followed by drinking a large cup of beer in one shot.
Although many would have been put off by such unrefined behavior, the Chafetz Chaim gently approached him and endearingly shook his hand. ‘I understand that you were conscripted into the Russian army yet remained a practicing Jew,’ he told him lovingly. “What incredible merit you have, still keeping your faith after such conditions! Oh, I only wish I will be guaranteed a place like yours in the World to Come. You have experienced stronger challenges than our Sages did. How incredible!”
These words sincerely touched the soldier’s heart, and he became a talmid (student) of the Chafetz Chaim and eventually an outstanding Torah scholar. (Adapted from The Power of Teshuvah, Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, p. 77)
The Three Weeks: Mourning in July, Building for Eternity
This idea is also very relevant for the meaningful period of the Three Weeks which we are currently in. It is the summer, and this time could be difficult to connect to, not to mention all the restrictions we have. We would like to focus on enjoying our summer and the restrictions could be challenging. We need to internalize how much our mourning during this period is valued and how beloved it is to Hashem that we feel His pain. The Chatam Sofer teaches that our mourning and tears actually builds the bricks for the third Beit Hamikdash. Each time we refrain from listening to music or a hot enjoyable shower, we are building another brick in the Beit Hamikdash!
Dvar Torah on Parshat Pinchas: One Bold Act, Generations of Honor by Rabbi Daniel Shasha, author of “Living Appreciation”
