[Jewish] [Mindful Torah] Parshat Pinchas (aka: the correct one for this week)

[Rabbi Steven Nathan]

So I was looking at my calendar thinking that it was July 9th, even
though the month just started yesterday! So, of course, it's
Matot-Masei. If I had just remembered that last we ended the reading
with the story of Pinchas I would have remembered that it's Pinchas
this week. Oh well, it's been a hectic week.
So here is a poem that I wrote a couple years ago for Pinchas. I don't
have time to edit it before Shabbat, but I hope you enjoy it. And save
Matot-Masei's commentary for next week, as I won't be able to post then.
Shabbat Shalom,Steven
Pinchas

Numbers/Bemidbar 25:10 – 30:1 It begins by mentioning an incident that
occurred at the end of last week’s parashah where Pinchas, son of
Eleazar the priest and grandson of Aaron slays the Israelite man Zimri
and the Midianite woman Cozbi after they enter a tent to have sexual
relations. This takes place after the text tells us that the Midianites
have led the Israelites into whoring, both in terms of women and also
after other gods (especially the Midianite god Baal Peor). At the start
of this week’s parashah we are told that upon killing Zimri and Cozbi
the plague that was ravaging the camp ceased. Furthermore, God gives
Pinchas a brit shalom/covenant of peace as a result of the slaying of
Zimri and Cozbi.

Throughout the ages rabbis and scholars have both lauded and criticized
Pinchas for being a zealot for his cause (the term used by the Torah).
Some believe that he acted justly in the name of God. Others believe
that he acted in an extreme manner. Certainly, the cessation of the
plague and the giving of the brit shalom would imply God’s approval of
Pinchas’ actions according to the author. But one has to wonder what
other messages we might find in this idea of receiving a covenant of
peace of using violence to stop idolatry and immoral behavior. There
are many possibilities, but once again I wonder what we can learn if,
as in our dreams, all of the characters in our communal narrative can
be seen as part of us, what can we learn from this text about ourselves
– whether it is we like it or not!



The Covenant of Peace
all is in us
we are in everything
everyone
Moses teacher
Aaron priest
Pinchas zealot
Zimri Cozbi idolaters blasphemers lust filled human beingsall are in us
we are in themthere is no distinctionnno difference
All is one
we alllearn teach attemp holiness
we all
Want
Lust after
Others
Gods

We feel
Jealousy
Anger
Pettiness
Hatred
Desire

Ego
Self
More important than
Trust
Compassion
Openness
Love
Acceptance
Others
The world

We bring
Plague destruction decimation desolation
Upon ourselves
Our souls
Those around us

Small minds
Closed hearts
Afflict us
A plague
Resistant to treatment
Unable to accept the cure
Unable to let in the Light

Desire Ego
enclosed nside us
In a tent
Lethal cocoon
Filled with poison
Impenetrable

Perhaps

It must can be pierced
Allow in
Light
Love
Openness
Acceptance
Peace Wholeness Shalom

We must
Find strength
Pierce the shell
Run it though
Save us

Such violence you say
Necessary action I say
Not violent
Compassionate
Allowing us to open up

We must use our strength
Divine Human
To pierce the shell
Let in the Light
Release what has been held captivethe plague within us
Eating away at us
Keeping us from Life

Doing this
We let in
Shalom
Peace
Sh’leimut
Wholeness
We open our hearts
Minds
Souls
To God
Others
Self
All
the same
all is in uswe are in everything

Sometimes we must do
What appears to be most difficult
Destroy what is often most familiar
Most harmful
Causing the most pain
Often unnoticed

Then we find
Truth
Peace
Rainbow covenant
Shining over us through us within us
Connecting us
To the one
The many
One another
God

Once the plague is gone
We are openwe can rejoice
In our covenant with Godin Life

Shalom


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Posted By Rabbi Steven Nathan to Mindful Torah at 7/02/2010 07:49:00 PM
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