Hello Everyone!
And so it is. I am back in The States. Back to reality. Back to the streets of Great Neck. Sleeping during the days, awake all night. It's too early to reminisce, so I won't. But I miss it already.
As I've been long speaking about, this week is the first week that Israel and America have the same weekly portion - Parashat Pinechas. Therefore, to celebrate such an occasion, I will speak about Parashat Vayechi. [You'll see what I'm doing. The jet-lag has me tired, but I'm not completely crazy.] There will also be a trivia question later on.
The following is a D'var Torah that I heard from Rabbi Moshe Stavsky, the Menahel at HANC.
In Parashat Vayechi, Yaakov Avinu blesses his children while on his death-bed. His twelve sons gather around to hear their father's final words. They are expecting inspiring words that will affect their futures. They patiently wait to learn what the future has in store for them. We won't go into all of the specifics, but we will discuss the so-called "blessing" he gives to the dynamic-duo, Shimon and Levi.
"כי באפם הרגו איש...ארור אפם כי עז, ועברתם כי קשתה" - " For in their rage they murdered people...Accursed is their rage for it is intense, and their wrath for it is harsh" (Bereshit 49: 6,7).
What's their blessing? That they be the leaders of their generations? Nope. Perhaps that they will persevere in everything it is that they decide to do? Try again. Maybe that they will merit to have many prophets come from them? Wrong.
Their blessing was that they get angry. Their blessing is that when these brothers get wrathful, look-out. There's no stopping them. Head-cases on the loose. They'll kill cities if they so please.
According to www.merriam-webster.com, "to bless: to confer prosperity or happiness upon." According to www.dictionary.com, "to bless: to request of G-d the bestowal of divine favor on." Blessings are supposed to be wishing good things upon someone. Blessings definitely don't have a negative connotation, and they certainly are not just stating facts! All Yaakov Avinu, in his wisdom, said was, "You get angry. Real angry. And when you are angry, it would be best for everyone else if they stayed home."
Where's the blessing? We see neither any indication of the future nor anything positive. Where's the blessing?
I think we will offer another definition to the infinitive "to bless." A blessing is not only something mystical that will give an individual super-natural powers. It doesn't only have to be a mere "request" of G-d to bestow divine favor on someone. A blessing can also be identifying one's strengths and weaknesses. A blessing can be the bestowing of knowledge upon an individual, informing him of what he is capable of doing. A blessing can be identifying one's problem.
When Yaakov Avinu was blessing Shimon and Levi, he was doing exactly this. He was telling Shimon and Levi, "You guys are very passionate. When you want something, no one can stand in your way. If you get angry and want to kill an entire city, consider it done. However, with great power comes great responsibility. (That's Yaakov's line.) If you are very passionate and enthusiastic, become the teachers. If you are very determined, then get up in front of the entire nation and do what you think is correct. If you are very zealous, then kill someone when he doing something terribly wrong in front of the entire nation. Channel your strengths and use them the right ways.
Okay. Let's go back to the future. In Parashat Pinechas (and in the end of Parashat Balak), Zimri ben Salu was having relations with a non-Jewish woman, Kozbi bat Sur. Zimri was the head of the tribe of Shimon. Why did he do such a crazy thing? If he was the leader, we would expect more of him! Why is he doing something that our religion demands that one give up his life before committing, and why was he doing it in the town square?
The entire Shevet Shimon was doing this. They were all having relations with non-Jewish woman. Zimri, as the leader, was very passionate and enthusiastic. He got up in front of the entire nation and showed that he agreed with how his tribe was behaving. He was giving his haskama by doing it himself. And he wasn't just gonna sit back and let others be doubtful of their actions. He got up and made sure everyone knew he agreed.
When Pinechas saw this, he couldn't tolerate it. He took out his spear and put an end to both Zimri and Kozbi's lives. He also was enthusiastic and passionate. He, too, was very zealous and did what he thought was right in the town square.
And who was Pinechas? The son of Elazar, who was the son of Aharon Hakohen, who was a descendant of Levi.
So it just so happens to be that Zimri and Pinechas come from Shimon and Levi. Both were passionate. Both were enthusiastic. And both were zealous. However, only one went in the right path. The other used his great attributes for terrible uses.
When Yaakov Avinu "blessed" Shimon and Levi, saying that they are very powerful and dangerous at the same time, he was warning them. He was telling them to use their power in the right way. As we have seen, Pinechas listened and was rewarded with rewards that we all wish to have. Zimri, on the other hand, did not.
[I'm also pretty sure I once heard that the teachers come from Shimon and Levi because of their enthusiasm in teaching. If you know what the source is for this, please let me know.]
May we all know what we are naturally gifted with. May we all recognize our strengths and weaknesses. And when we understand what we can do, may we all use those superior qualities in the right way. If we can identify our problems, then all our problems will be half-solved. After all, this is the best blessing we can ask for.
Torah Trivia: If you have a natural inclination towards blood, what are two mitzvot that you should involve yourself with?
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