B"H

Friday, Tammuz 22, 5781 / July 2, 2021

This week’s Parsha, Pinchas, is named after Pinchas, son of Elazar and grandson of Aaron, the High Priest.  The Parsha begins with G-d giving Pinchas the covenant of peace, by proclaiming him to become a kohen (priest).  Although the Torah says that all Israel is a holy nation, yet, there are various levels of holiness.  The kohen is a higher level of holiness, which qualifies him to perform the service of G-d in the Holy Temple.

In fact, most of the High Priests in the Holy Temples were descendants of Pinchas.

Q.  The priesthood is referred here as, "The covenant of Shalom – peace."  What is the connection between “the covenant of peace” and being a kohen?

A.    In the first chapter of Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), which we recite this Shabbat, Hillel the Elder says, "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow and bringing them closer to the Torah."

Aaron was Pinchas’ grandfather.  Loving peace and pursuing peace was the characteristic of Aaron the High Priest.  When G-d made Pinchas a Kohen, He expressed this gift by giving him the covenant of peace, which represents the priesthood. 

The three-fold priestly blessing, which is recited by the kohen during the holidays and in Israel each Shabbat and in many places in Israel each day, ends with the blessing of peace:  "May the L-rd bless you and guard you.  May the L-rd make His countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the L-rd turn His countenance toward you and grant you Shalom-peace."

Q.  G-d rewards in accordance with the good deed performed - measure for measure.  How does the reward of “covenant of peace” fit with the act which Pinchas did, for which this reward was given?

A.  Pinchas was rewarded here for his heroic act of killing a leader of the tribe of Shimon, when he sinned with a Midyonite woman.  By killing him, Pinchas stopped a plague which already killed 24,000 people.  Not everyone agreed with what Pinchas did.  Many of the tribes criticized Pinchas for doing this.  They said that Pinchas was motivated by anger and not for the sake of saving the Jewish nation. Thus, G-d rewarded him with the covenant of “peace,” to show that Pinchas’ act was an act of peace.    

There is another lesson here: G-d rewards Pinchas for his act by making him a Kohen, but expresses His reward with words, "Covenant of Peace."  This is to tell Pinchas, and by extension to all leaders, that as a leader of the people, although there are times when force is required, it should be used only in extreme cases.  All other times, the approach of peace/Shalom is the better and proper way.

This Shabbat we bless the new month, Menachem Av. Rosh Chodesh will be next Shabbat, July 10.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 8:28 / Shabbat ends: 9:44