<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shabbat Shalom,</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Steven</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pinchas</span><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Covenant of Peace</span><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">all is in us<br />
we are in everything <br />
everyone<br />
Moses teacher<br />
Aaron priest<br />
Pinchas zealot<br />
Zimri Cozbi </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> idolaters blasphemers </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> lust filled human beings</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">all are in us<br />
we are in them</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">there is no distinctionn</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">no difference<br />
All is one</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
we all</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">learn teach attemp holiness<br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we all<br />
Want<br />
Lust after<br />
Others<br />
Gods<br />
<br />
We feel</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Jealousy<br />
Anger<br />
Pettiness<br />
Hatred<br />
Desire<br />
<br />
Ego<br />
Self<br />
More important than<br />
Trust<br />
Compassion<br />
Openness<br />
Love<br />
Acceptance<br />
Others<br />
The world<br />
<br />
We bring<br />
Plague destruction decimation desolation<br />
Upon ourselves<br />
Our souls<br />
Those around us<br />
<br />
Small minds<br />
Closed hearts<br />
Afflict us<br />
A plague<br />
Resistant to treatment<br />
Unable to accept the cure<br />
Unable to let in the Light<br />
<br />
Desire Ego<br />
enclosed nside us<br />
In a tent <br />
Lethal cocoon<br />
Filled with poison<br />
Impenetrable<br />
<br />
Perhaps<br />
<br />
It must can be pierced<br />
Allow in<br />
Light<br />
Love<br />
Openness<br />
Acceptance<br />
Peace Wholeness Shalom<br />
<br />
We must<br />
Find strength<br />
Pierce the shell<br />
Run it though<br />
Save us<br />
<br />
Such violence you say<br />
Necessary action I say<br />
Not violent<br />
Compassionate <br />
Allowing us to open up<br />
<br />
We must use our strength<br />
Divine Human<br />
To pierce the shell<br />
Let in the Light<br />
Release what has been held captive</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the plague within us<br />
Eating away at us<br />
Keeping us from Life<br />
<br />
Doing this<br />
We let in<br />
Shalom<br />
Peace<br />
Sh’leimut<br />
Wholeness<br />
We open our hearts<br />
Minds<br />
Souls<br />
To God<br />
Others<br />
Self<br />
All<br />
the same<br />
all is in us</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we are in everything<br />
<br />
Sometimes we must do<br />
What appears to be most difficult<br />
Destroy what is often most familiar<br />
Most harmful<br />
Causing the most pain<br />
Often unnoticed<br />
<br />
Then we find<br />
Truth<br />
Peace<br />
Rainbow covenant<br />
Shining over us through us</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> within us<br />
Connecting us<br />
To the one<br />
The many<br />
One another<br />
God<br />
<br />
Once the plague is gone<br />
We are open</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we can rejoice<br />
In our covenant with God</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">in Life<br />
<br />
Shalom</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br><br>--<br>
Posted By Rabbi Steven Nathan to <a href="http://mindfultorah.blogspot.com/2010/07/parshat-pinchas-aka-correct-one-for.html">Mindful Torah</a> at 7/02/2010 07:49:00 PM