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In this week's Parshah of “Va’YIGASH” we read of the confrontation between Yehudah and Joseph. Yehudah was determined to rescue the tribe’s youngest brother, Binyamin (Benjamin), and at any price. He followed his father’s modus operandi, he started with prayer, followed with appeasement and cajoling, and then he flared in anger ready for war. “You are as dishonest as Pharaoh, and I will kill you both.” After Joseph’s perceived obstinate and unreasonable position, Yehudah was ready to kill or be killed. In his fury he crushed rocks. However as a true leader, he first put himself on the front line and offered to Joseph to replace Binyamin as a slave. When this did not work, he made ready for war. He divvied up the capitol city’s sections amongst his brothers, terrified and frightened off the palace guard, and prepared to draw his sword. Miraculously Yehudah was not able to, Joseph revealed himself, and the rest is history. As King Solomon said; (Ecclesiastes 3’ 8”) a time for war and a time for peace.
The question that begs is as follows. Is there a time in which inaction is preferred? Or is zealotry always the proper action? On the one hand everyone understands the concept of how can I sit back and ignore indignities and injustices, yet simultaneously one asks how can I allow chaos and vigilantism to carry the day? Is being a zealot ever the correct thing to do? And if so, what are the guidelines? Let’s turn to our holy Torah. The quintessential case of zealotry is regarded as being Pinchas who killed Zimri the leader of the tribe of Shimon. The story is as follows; King Balak acting on Bilam’s advice sent Moabite girls including his own princess Kozbi, to cause sin amongst the Jews. Zimri became upset at Moshe for punishing some Shimonites, and boldly approached Kozbi, who declared her father sent her for Moshe, to which he replied I’m better. He then publicly approached Moshe with Kozbi in tow and declared; is she permitted? And when answered no, he brazenly retorted to Moshe so why did you marry a Midyanite? He then took her by the hand and publically led her into his own tent. Moshe was frozen with fear. Fear of the desecration of Hashem’s name and impending lack of His protection. Indeed a heavenly plague started. Pinchas was overcome with righteous indignation. He turned to Moshe and said; great uncle have we not learnt someone who does this publicly and brazenly, is subject to citizen execution during the time he is so engaged. To which Moshe replied yes you are correct and as the reader of the law, you may act on it. He did and was blessed with peace, albeit with a caveat of a broken letter. We have many lessons to learn from this. First even a justified action needed a blessing from Hashem that Pinchas will not negatively affect and infect his own Neshomah with cruelty. The Talmud says (Beroches17a), one who uses Hashem’s Torah to cause pain, it is better he hadn’t been born. Second, zealotry is never directed, only exceptionally permitted. Third, why did Moshe not react? And the answer is, because it would have been perceived as not wholly and with every iota to Hashem since he had been insulted. It was only Pinchas, pure of heart and motive that could be allowed to proceed. When the 12th blessing in the Amidah against Heretics was being written, no one was found other than Shmeul Hakatan (beroches28b). Why so? Because he was someone who lived the phrase; When your enemies fall do not rejoice (Ethics 4’ 19”). Only such a pure man can be entrusted with the zealotry of this blessing. Rebuke is not a task to be undertaken lightly. Pnina with the best of intentions; actually had her children die because of the pain she caused her co-wife when she righteously chided her (bava basra 16a). Many tragedies befell the world as a result of rebuke given harshly (sotah47a), rebuked with the strong right and befriended with the weaker left. Zealotry is not rebuke. It is a reluctant outburst of unbridled caring for Hashem’s honour with no personal enjoyment or benefit.
In recent events we have seen in the city of Beit Shemesh Israel, loveless hooligans dressed as orthodox, causing pain and discomfort to passersby in the name of Hashem. This is a fallacy. These are people with too much time on their hands. They should turn around and head back into the study hall, and if they are not capable of devoting their time to study and prayer, then they should get a job. If they continue as they do, then they should be arrested and prosecuted, for the good and safety of everyone else. Only words from the heart, enter a heart.
Less than 20 km from Beit Shemesh is a city called Modi’in, known for the brave holy Hashmonoem a.k.a. the Macabees in the year 3594AD-167BC two years before the miracle of Chanukah. True righteous zealots who rebelled not against a physical danger, but against a spiritual oppression. However, even they lost it all, because they later retained kingship without permission and for that, their entire lineage was brought to an ignoble end (Bava Basra3b).
May Hashem bless us with the capacity and will, and with kindness to make correct decisions. J
72 By; Bryan Abish. For comments/free subscription or to unsubscribe;
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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