Pinhas

In this week’s parsha we learn of the fervent deeds of one of the members of the tribe of Levy by the name of Pinchas, 

a grandson of Aaron the Kohen.

How was it that Pinchas merited to have this week’s Torah portion named for him,

and,

to be elevated to the priesthood, 

he and his generations forever? 

The nation of Israel, 

after forty years of wandering and wondering 

were finally allowed to begin conquering the land they had so looked forward to inheriting. 

Pinchas saw the men of his nation being tempted by the women of Midian to sin by serving the idolcalled Baal Peor. 

In one turn he put an end to the whole affair in the name of Heaven. 

The collective sinning ceased. 

The Torah tells us that the anger of G-d was turned away. 

Pinchas needed to be strong!

As we know, 

when a large group of people have fun in destructive behaviour 

and invests their time, 

effort, 

and money 

towards making it acceptable, 

being the voice of reason 

can literally and figuratively get you thoroughly defeated either physically, verbally, emotionally or economically.

Pinchas acted when it was most needed that he do so. 

The chance to bring everyone back to their senses was in his hands. 

He was keenly aware that if another moment would have transpired with nothing done about the horrible situation at hand, 

all would have been lost. 

Either they would triumph or they would fall into condition of not remembering!

After all the Divine guidance 

and all the years of waiting, 

to see his nation disappear through assimilation into the Midianite culture,

was too much for Pinchas. 

Continuity as a holy nation remained intact all because of the action of one person at the right time. 

" One who acts with eagerness, willingness, readiness, merits to perform (many) mitzvot ”. 

It is not the ideal to wake up at the last second and rush like a fool to grab the only moment left to do a mitzvah,

but rather to take the necessary amount of time, 

proceed carefully, 

and then see it through to fulfilment!

Pinchas was no hothead, who was rewarded for acting in a rash manner without stopping to think. 

His was the kind of passionate honored by the Torah. 

He came, 

he saw, 

he acted but not over a split second of anger,

but with a heart and mind set to achieve the honor of Heaven. 

Only a well sharpened heart and mind worked on with much prior thought and effort can achieve split second results accurately and effectively. 

There is no better tool with which we can sharpen our hearts and minds to be best prepared for the moments in which we need to act with eargerness, willingness and readiness, than 

Torah study. 

Let' s Just do it!