בנות צלפחד

There is an interesting Midrash of the ספרי, related to the daughters of צלפחד. When they heard that the land was being divided to the male members of the tribe, and not the females, they said the following:

“The mercy of בשר ודם, flesh and blood, is not like the mercy of Hashem. The nature of flesh and blood favors the males more than the females. But the mercy of Hashem is upon everyone, as it is written, “ורחמיו על כל מעשיו״,” and His mercy is on all of his creation.

The תורה תמימה elaborates by saying that they were referring to several laws. If there is a situation of saving a man or a woman, the man comes first. Man is sanctified with more Mitzvot than a woman. And it’s also written, “Happy is the man whose sons are male.”

It looks as though בנות צלפחד were the first women to protest apparent inequality between men and women. This is only a Midrash but could be emphasizing the importance of understanding that men and women are equal in Hashem’s eyes. It’s only that he has given different roles for each of them. These roles do not mean superiority for either one.

Lessons from Pinchas

Shavua Tov-

The incident with Pinchas and his taking drastic actions, teaches us a great deal. We must first remember that what he did, ended a plague that killed 24,000 people.

It is also important to note that Pinchas was granted a covenant of Shalom, peace. It seems surprising that one who acts on his own and kills a princess of Moav and a head of tribe in Israel, is known as a man of peace.

This seems to indicate that at times, it’s necessary to take action, and not be afraid to do that which is unpopular. Having the faith and convictions that Pinchas had, made him act in a way that ultimately proved pleasing to G-d.

It also indicates that eradicating and confronting evil, ultimately brings peace. There are places that mention that it is considered merciful to get rid of evil individuals that are harming others. It is certainly anything but compassionate to allow outward evil to exist.

Pinchas taught us that eradicating evil and confronting it head on, was a merciful act that brought peace.

Pinchas

This Shabbat, we read פרשת פנחס. This is the story of a true zealot, who was rewarded for his zealotry.

At first, the people did not know how to deal with this whole incident. After all, Pinchas took the law into his own hands, and acted alone as Moshe stood by.

He received a great deal of criticism for his actions, and only when Hashem, himself intervened, was it made clear that he acted properly.

He was rewarded with ברית כהונת עולם. Unlike the חשמונאי family who had no continuation of their family line, Pinchas and his descendants continue to live on. Some say he lived to the age of 400, and all of the כהנים גדולים in both the first and second temples, descended from him. There is an opinion that 380 individuals served as High Priest in both temples.

Despite the fact that Pinchas killed זמרי and כזבי for their public transgression, he was known as a man of peace.

There is an opinion that he negotiated the agreement between Moshe and the two and a half tribes, who wanted to live on the other side of the Jordan.

Generally, we are never allowed to take the law into our own hands. If one does, it had better be לשם שמים, for the sake of Heaven, without any ulterior motives of personal gain. Pinchas was such a person who was acknowledged as a true Jewish hero. who saved many lives.Look

Learning Gratitude from a Donkey

One final lesson to be learned in Midot from Parshat בלק, is the subject of הכרת הטוב, recognizing the good that one does for us. Surprisingly, this was taught by non other than Bilaam’s donkey. She lectures Bilaam after he struck her three times. After all, she was his faithful donkey for so many years. He should have given her the benefit of the doubt when she veered off to the side of the road. In Judaism, הכרת הטוב is emphasized very strongly. To be an ingrate, is a very ugly trait. This comes with an attitude that everything we have, is coming to us. It is a sign of arrogance and lack of faith. The ארחות צדיקים reminds us that we are to acknowledge that not only is it that everything we have comes from Hashem’s graces, but nothing we have is deserved. it is all a gift that comes from Hashem’s kindness and generosity. Even gifts that come from relatives are also from Him. One’s relatives act as G-D’s Shaliach in giving over such gifts. This is the Torah way and a healthy way to view the world. It also lends itself to looking at the world in a positive manner. It leaves a person with an overwhelming sense of joy in being able to recognize the good and see how fortunate he really is.

Worry and Anger

Continuing on the theme of working on our emotions, we must learn to eliminate worry and anger, from our personalities. Anger, or כעס, has a very detrimental effect on our day to day dealings. The same is true of worry, or דאגה.

What כעס and דאגה have in common is that they are both wasted emotions. Usually, there is no benefit in either one. כעס allows a person to get upset over things one cannot change.

If one makes a foolish mistake, that leads to loss of money or damage to one’s possessions, getting angry will not change anything. It is much more beneficial to take on a גם זו לטובה, that all is for the best, type of attitude.

Worry, according to the ארחות צדיקים, is the opposite of שמחה, happiness. Worry deprived a person from feeling happy, because he always finds something to worry about.

A little bit of anger can be useful when a teacher or parent uses it for disciplinary measures. But one should never get so angry to the point where he loses control of himself.

Worry can be positive if it is limited to spiritual matters. If one is concerned that he is not serving Hashem with enough enthusiasm, or he is not doing enough Mitzvot, this is positive worry. Any worrying that involves the עולם הגשמי, the material world, is pointless.

So perhaps another lesson to be learned from Balak and Bilaam, is that we need to work on כעס and דאגה.

Hatred and Jealousy

The story of Balak and Bilaam teaches a great deal about human nature, and how one can harm himself greatly, if he does not work on his character.

In the case of these two evil men, they were obsessed with hatred and jealousy for Moshe Rabbeinu and the Jewish people. Balak was so possessed by these negative feelings that he never stopped to pay attention to an important fact. Moshe would never attack Moav, because of their connection to Lot.

This didn’t stop him from launching his attack to weaken the Jewish people. His focus was on how much he detested (ויקץ מואב) the Jewish people. There was no doubt any joy in Balak’s life as long as he knew the Jewish people thrived.

These negative character traits of hatred and jealousy can plague us as well. There are people who have so much to be happy and grateful for, yet, their obsession with other people’s success, deprive them of any happiness and peace of mind.

This is why the study of Mussar books are so badly needed. They help keep us on course, and remind us of the pitfalls of giving in to such negative emotions.

We need to constantly remind ourselves of that famous statement in Piekei Avot: איזהו עשיר השמח בחלקו. Who is wealthy? One who is happy with his lot in life. Such a person learns to appreciate what he has, and does not look at others, as Balak did.

The Three Weeks

Today, we begin the period known as בין המצרים, or, “the three weeks.” It is a particularly sad time of year, as it commemorates the mourning for the Beit Hamikdash. This mourning that is expected of us, is much more than feeling a sense of loss of not having a place to pray and offer sacrifices.
It is a time when we are supposed to recognize the consequences of not having a functioning Temple. A great deal more was lost than having a sacred building burned to the ground. All of the problems facing the Jewish people, are connected with that tragic event.
The Galut, the exile, which was and has been, a terrible curse, began at that time. This led to a tremendous ignorance of Judaism, its traditions, and Torah study. It led to the plague of intermarriage and assimilation. And it gave Jews a false sense of security, if they were fortunate enough to be living in a place where they felt welcome. They forgot who they were and became unaware of the special mission the Jews were meant to play. I see a double sadness when I see the status of Jews outside of Israel today. On the one hand, there is the huge number of Jews who know so little about their Jewishness. And on the other hand, for observant Jews who are blessed with being able to practice their Judaism freely, and are able to have all of their religious needs close at hand, creates a certain complacency and false sense of security. When we had a Beit Hamikdash, the Torah was the law of the land. There was even a period of 850 years, when every Jew knew the Five Books of Moses by heart. We mourn during these three weeks as we recognize our great loss, -and we long for a return to the days that once were, where we served G-d while feeling him close to us.

Midrash

The study of Midrashim often enhance our understanding of the narrative in the Torah. The story of Bilaam and his hatred of the Jews, is no exception.

According to the Midrash, there was a striking similarity in the relationship of Moshe and Bilaam, to Mordechai and Haman. Both had previous encounters before the main event was discussed in the Torah and Megillah.

Mordechai and Haman were both sent on a mission by Achashveirosh, to fight a battle on his behalf. Haman had used up his supplies too soon, and begged Mordechai to give him food. Mordechai agreed on condition that Haman accepted being a slave to Mordechai. This agreement was written on the shoe of Mordechai, which he tended to reminded Haman, each time he refused to bow to him, several years later.

In Moshe’s case, he met up with Bilaam when he escaped from Pharoah after killing the Egyptian. Bilaam was living with his two sons in a town that Moshe conquered on behalf of כוש in a war that led to his becoming king of כוש for forty years. The Midrash says that Bilaam felt humiliated by Moshe in that battle.

This was the background to the request of Balak to ask Bilaam to curse the Jews and weaken Moshe. This also explains why he was so eager to accept this offer.

The Midrash is fascinating but we need to be careful in its study. A Chassidic master once said, “Anyone who believes Midrashim, is a fool. Anyone who doesn’t, is a heretic!

The Extent of Jew Hatred

This week we read פרשת בלק. This is one of the most perplexing Parshiot in the Torah. It must have been by way of prophecy, that Moshe Rabbeinu was able to record in the text, all of the scheming of Balak and Bilaam.

Equally perplexing is the whole episode of the donkey of Bilaam, who carried on a conversation with her master.

There is no doubt that there is a huge amount of סוד, secrets, connected with the narrative of the Parsha.

The various blessings of Bilaam, that were originally meant as curses, are also very difficult to understand.

There should clearly be an awareness of the deep seated Jew hatred that has always existed from the time we became a nation.

We see how low the Jew haters will go to try and weaken עם ישראל. The nations of מואב and מדין hated each other, but made peace because of their common enemy, the Jews.

They were prepared to practice every form of sorcery to bring down Israel. And worst of all, they were prepared to turn their daughters into harlots, if that’s what it would take to harm the Jews.

We are to find comfort in Hashem, as Bilaam himself said, “Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you, will be cursed.

Despite our many enemies, the G-d of Israel will prevail, and all of our enemies will vanish.

Finding Balance to Conquer the Insurmountable

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, ז״ל recently passed away, and had a profound influence on the Jewish world. He was able to combine his knowledge of Torah with psychiatry and his illustrious ancestry from a leading Chassidic dynasty.

Rabbi Twerski was very candid about his own shortcomings as well. He wrote that it took many years to realize that he had a problem with low self esteem. And this was despite his numerous achievements in the field of addictions.

He realized that the יצר הרע plays many tricks with an individual that causes him to have feelings of doubts and a lack of self worth.

It is important to stay away from arrogance and getting carried away with oneself. But it is also important that one not be too hard on himself, either. One must work diligently to find a balance that leads one to finding peace of mind and happiness.

At times, the task seems insurmountable. But with faith and a resolve that fulfilling Hashem’s wishes is the proper path one needs to take, he is capable of conquering giants.

This is exactly what Moshe did, when he personally conquered the giant brothers, סיחון and עוג. When we are balanced and on the right path, nothing is insurmountable.

Hashem Will Reign

After the death of Aharon on the first of Av, the Torah tells us וישמע הכנעני, that the king of Canaan had heard about this tragedy that befell the Jewish people.

The כנעני is a euphemism for all things evil. It included Amalek, the Seven Nations, the מלאך המות, Angel of Death, and the Yeitzer Hara. They heard that Israel was now vulnerable with Aharon’s death and the disappearance of the protection from the Clouds of Glory. They saw this as an opportunistic time to attack Israel.

This trait of our enemies attacking us when they believe we are down, is a theme that has haunted us throughout history.

Both Nevuchadnezzar and Achashveirosh celebrated when they believed that the seventy year prophecy of Jeremiah, that the Temple would be rebuilt, had not come true. Haman believed it was an auspicious time to annihilate the Jews because they were, “scattered among the nations.” Titus also convinced himself that Hashem was only powerful in the sea and not on land. Hashem sent a gnat up his nose to prove otherwise.

I believe that to this very day, the enemies of the Jewish people are still frightened by the G-d of Israel. They continue to delude themselves into believing that they can act any way they want, and there will not be any consequences.

History has also taught us that Hashem neither sleeps nor slumbers. That day will come when the earth will acknowledge that Hashem is One, and His name is One.

The Influence of the Tzaddik

The last year in the desert was tragic, in the sense that Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe, all passed away that year.

The קול התורה of Rabbi Elie Munk, claims that Miriam was the first woman to die in the desert all forty years! The women did not participate in the sin of the Golden Calf, and did not accept the evil report of the spies. Therefore, until Miriam, none of the women died.

Aharon was mourned by both the men and the women, because he was an אוהב שלום ורודף שלום, one who loved and pursued peace.

Just as when Miriam died, the באר מרים, the well of Miriam was dried up, the Clouds of Glory left Israel after Aharon’s death. The מן was in the merit of Moshe Rabbeinu.

We see from all of this, the profound influence a Tzaddik has on his community and the entire generation.

And when a Tzaddik leaves this world, his death can prove to be an atonement for the generation. Perhaps this is the reason the Rambam counts having reverence for Torah scholars, as one of the 613 Mitzvot.

Mitzvot Making Sense

A while ago, I heard an interview with Jared Kushner and Ben Shapiro. Kushner was asked how his wife, Ivanka, got interested in Judaism.

After they were fixed up to go on their first date, her curiosity about Judaism led her to take classes to learn more about her boyfriend’s religion. She eventually converted, and the rest is history.

As a married couple, they agreed to observe whatever it was that “made sense.” They are viewed by most as proud, somewhat observant Jews.

The Kushner philosophy runs contrary to the matter of the Red Heifer. Through this difficult law, we are taught that we are especially rewarded for the Mitzvot that do not make sense.

The Rabbis say, גדול המצוה ועושה משאינו מצוה ועושה. It is much greater to observe a Mitzva that we do not understand but are commanded, than the ones we are not commanded, but we observe, because they make sense.

Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsh explained that the פרה אדומה and other חוקים that have no real rational reason, is to help show us that the spiritual rules the physical.

I have great respect for the Kushner’s and how they openly express their love for Judaism. But perhaps with a little more learning, they could raise their level of observance a lot higher.

They do seem to have a little more time on their hands!

Moshe’s Anger

Parshat חוקת speaks of the sin of Moshe and Aharon hitting the rock, instead of speaking to it.

Rabbi Elie Munk in his קול התורה, implies an interesting background to what may have led up to this tragic sin.

He reminds us that the lack of water was due to Miriam’s death. In her merit, the באר מרים, Miriam’s well, traveled with the Jewish people in the desert. When she died, there was no more water. (Some say that the well could be found in Lake Kinneret, in a sieve like manner.

When the masses of people came to Moshe and Aharon, they initially thought the people were coming to comfort them as brothers mourning for their beloved sister. When they saw that they had no regard for their personal suffering, but came to complain about lack of water, it could have been viewed as demeaning.

Perhaps this explains Moshe’s anger, when he hit the rock. The Rambam claims that the essence of the sin, was Moshe’s anger. But while it was understandable why he was so angry, he still should not have given in to it.

People who serve the public are often overlooked as human beings with feelings. They are expected to be there for everyone and they are not entitled to have the normal emotions that everyone else has. Moshe and Aharon were no different. They no doubt loved their sister, but were not able to mourn for her.

Instead, they succumbed to the pressure of leading, and answered angrily. Because this anger was not controlled, and they were prevented from entering Eretz Yisrael.

Four Paradoxes

This week we read פרשת חוקת which is all about פרה האדומה, the Red Heifer. It is a חוק, a law we are not meant to understand, and is actually considered THE most difficult law in the Torah to understand.

Rav Elie Munk in קול התורה refers to פרה אדומה as a paradox. It is one of four paradoxes mentioned in the Torah. The paradox by פרה אדומה is that it purifies the unclean, but makes unclean the Kohein who handled the purification process.

A second paradox relates to the שעיר לעזאזל, known as the Yom Kippur scapegoat. On the one hand, the scapegoat atones for the sins of the Jewish people. But again, the one who throws the goat off of the cliff, becomes defiled.

Our third paradox involves the prohibition of שעטנז, wearing a garment that is a mixture of wool and linen. The paradox is that ציצית, which is the fulfillment of a Torah commandment, is allowed to have a mixture of wool and linen.

And the fourth paradox involves the מצורע, the leper. If even a small white spot is found on the body of an individual, he is declared a leper. Yet, if the skin of his entire body turns white, he is clean and even cured of his leprosy.

We are meant to recognize that the wisdom of the Torah is beyond our comprehension. We are expected to submit and surrender to its truth, despite the challenges and paradoxes.

Twenty-Four Priestly Gifts

After the incident with Korach, and quiet was again restored, certain laws related to Kohanim, were presented.

The Kohanim were given a total of twenty-four gifts. Eight of these were given in the Beit Hamikdash itself. Aside from the לחם הפנים, the showbread, and the שתי הלחם, the bread offered on Shavuot, the other six involved the consumption of certain sacrifices.

There were four more gifts given to the Kohanim in Jerusalem. This included the ביכורים, first fruits and the first born animals.

Five more of the gifts were given in Eretz Yisrael. This included תרומה, the shearing of sheep, and the חלה, the dough separated when baking bread.

The last five were given to the Kohanim anywhere in the world. The most famous would be the silver coins given to the Kohein for Pidyon Haben.

It was advantageous to be a popular Kohein. Many of these gifts could be given to the Kohein of your choice. It seems obvious that one would choose a Kohein that he liked. Therefore, a popular Kohein would receive a lot more than one who had a bad personality.

Jealousy and Arrogance

Moshe’s Honesty

It appears that Moshe Rabbeinu took the claims against him very hard. He was so careful to give a complete accounting of every donation used in building the Mishkan.

It was only a very short time after this, that Korach made all kinds of accusations against him. He was portrayed as a power hungry leader who oppressed even members of his own family.

Moshe speaks to Hashem and says, לא חמור אחד מהם נשאתי, that he did not even take one donkey that was not rightfully his. He seems shocked that he could be placed in such a situation.

Centuries later, when the seventy-two Tzaddikim were asked to translate the Torah into Greek, in seventy-two homes, they were all troubled by this Pasuk.

Miraculously, they all substituted the word, “חמור” with the word, “חמד” meaning “possession.” These wise men were afraid that people might say that Moshe didn’t take any donkeys, but maybe he did take coins and jewelry.

They tried to set the record straight that Moshe Rabbeinu was a loyal and honest leader of the Jewish people. He tried to set an example for future Jewish leaders. If they would only follow Moshe’s example!

Making Hasty Decisions

A story that got less publicity, was the incidental mention of און בן פלת from the tribe of Reuven. The Gemara in סנהדרין says that the name “און” reflects אנינות, which is a form of mourning.

The term אונן refers to one who has learned of the passing of a loved one. He is exempt from all of the Mitzvot of the Torah because he is focused on giving a proper burial.

In the case of און, he was mourning and remorseful of having made a very foolish, regrettable decision. Thanks to his intelligent wife, he was able to realize that he had nothing to gain by joining Korach and his rebellion.

Often, we are not as lucky as און to be shown the correct path before we make very bad decisions that take a long time to fix. The Book of Mishlei has numerous recommendations to think before we act. We are told to seek advice before making major decisions in our life.

While it is a good idea to have the character trait of זריזות, where we observe the Torah with enthusiasm and alacrity, this does not mean that we should act without thinking.

This is a lesson learned from און בן פלת, who was rescued by his wife, but felt horrible that he nearly made a fatal decision.

Claims Against Moshe

Shavua Tov-

The Gemara in סנהדרין explains why the Torah tells us, “וישמע משה ויפל על פניו,” that Moshe heard and he fell on his face.

Apparently, this became one of the origins of “fake news.” The Korach rebellion crew, spread a rumor that Moshe was involved in numerous affairs with married women.

They claimed that when Moshe pitched his tent outside the camp, he did much more than counsel the women who came to see him.

The basis of their claim was that since Moshe felt he was greater than them, and was filled with גאווה, arrogance, it only makes sense that he would be involved in forbidden matters.

Moshe couldn’t believe the claim and fell on his face. Some say that this was the origin of the תחנון prayer that is also known as נפילת אפיים, falling on our face.

Moshe asked Hashem to create a new form of death to punish the instigators. But the whole incident shows how difficult it is to be a leader of the “stiff necked” Jewish people.