Parshas Pinchus
TAKING THE INITIATIVE
by Rabbi Shlomo Jarcaig
This week’s Torah portion again addresses the issue of the proper approach
toward taking initiative. When we learned of Korach and the spies we
witnessed the negative ramifications of improperly motivated people acting
on their own initiative. The rebellions directed by these leaders tore our
nation apart and we continue to suffer the ill effects today. Conversely,
this week’s parsha highlights parties rewarded for their initiative.
At the start of the parsha Pinchas is given a Bris Shalom, a Covenant of
Peace with G-d for the self-sacrifice of risking his life to end the public
desecration of the Divine Name. Later in the parsha the daughters of
Tzelafchad are rewarded with an entire chapter of the Torah’s dictation
written in tribute to their desire for a portion in the Land of Israel and
their proactive effort to attain it. Most people do not desire to
intentionally act improperly, yet it is common that, despite our positive
motivation, we end up doing the wrong thing, like Korach, instead of the
right thing, like Pinchas. How does the Torah guide us to channel our
energies properly and keep ourselves from straying onto the wrong path?
This week’s parsha focuses on the counting of the Tribes of Israel. The
Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Yisrael Mayer Kagan; 1838-1933; author of basic works
in Jewish law, philosophy and ethics, and acknowledged as the foremost
leader of Torah Jewry at the turn of the last century) notes the peculiarity
of the census of the tribe of Dan. Although Dan had only one son, the tribe’
s population of males between the ages of 20 and 60 was 64,400. He
contrasts this to Benjamin, who himself had 10 sons but at this time had a
tribal population of only 45,600. The Chofetz Chaim explains that our
effort is but one of the necessary ingredients of our success. The ultimate
outcome is decided by G-d; thus we witness creative, industrious,
resourceful individuals who work hard to earn a living but remain poor while
there are others who are inexplicably wealthy without apparent effort. Our
initiative is not the cause of our success; it is merely an agent through
which we receive the gifts G-d bestows upon us. Given this attitude, when we
take action to effect a change, we realize that that the ultimate results
are not are not decided by us; therefore, we are free to focus more on the
means than the ends: Are the actions I am taking consistent with the will of
G-d? Is it worthwhile for me to discuss this issue with a Torah scholar who
may be more knowledgeable and aware of G-d’s priorities?
In this area we see a clear difference between the actions of Pinchas and
the daughters of Tzelafchad contrasted to Korach and the spies. The spies
had good intentions and thought they were serving the interests of the
Jewish people in delivering their evil report by dissuading the nation from
moving forward into a potentially perilous situation, but they did not seek
counsel if their fears were justified or how to bring about their desired
affect. Pinchas and Tzelafchad’s daughters all sought counsel to clarify
the proper procedures. Had Moshe instructed Pinchas that he was wrong in
his plan of action, he would have refrained. The daughters of Tzelafchad
did not start a rebellion to secure their father’s portion of Eretz Yisrael
for themselves; they posed the query to Moshe and awaited the divine
response.
We should be inspired to follow in the path of Pinchas, to ask the necessary
questions so we may act in accordance with the will of G-d.
Have a Good Shabbos!
Copyright © 2001 by Rabbi Pinchas Avruch and Project Genesis, Inc.
Kol HaKollel is a publication of the Milwaukee Kollel Center for Jewish
Studies 5007 West Keefe Avenue; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 414-447-7999
