From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
This week's Torah portion is Pinchas. In it we read about Pinchas, who in a burst of zealousness slew Zimri and the Midianite woman with whom Zimri was consorting. The Talmud speaks of "six miracles that were done to him [Pinchas]"; other sources refer to 12.
It states in the Talmud, "He who sees Pinchas in a dream will experience a wonder," upon which Rashi comments, "A wonder will be done to him, as was done to Pinchas."
Using the Word “Wonder”
It is significant that our Sages use the word "wonder" rather than "miracle," as the two terms are not quite synonymous:
A miracle means that the laws of nature are broken and transcended. The "regular" structure of the universe is altered, and a miracle occurs. However, the fact that natural law needs to be superseded implies that "nature" possesses some sort of influence or significance.
A wonder, by contrast, is entirely above nature; the very concept of nature is meaningless.
Indeed, this demonstrates the greatness of Pinchas: The miracles associated with him were not merely a succession of supernatural events, each one of which had to rise above the existing universal order. Rather, what Pinchas experienced could more accurately be described as one big, uninterrupted wonder that bypassed nature entirely.
The reason G-d acted toward in Pinchas in a "wondrous" manner was that Pinchas' Divine service was similarly "wondrous." In effect, G-d was merely responding to Pinchas measure for measure.
In terms of Divine service, both "miracles" and "wonders" imply self-sacrifice. However, self-sacrifice can exist on two levels:
On the lower level ("miracle"), the Jew serves G-d in the usual manner. If self-sacrifice should ever become necessary, he will rise to the occasion.
On the higher level ("wonder"), the entirety of the person's Divine service is carried out in a super-natural manner of self-sacrifice. The Jew gives his will over to G-d so completely that all of his actions are a reflection of self-sacrifice.
No Need to Ask Questions
Pinchas was the embodiment of the level of "wonder." His very essence was self-sacrifice for G-d, which is why he endangered himself for a matter that was not strictly required by the letter of the law. Because his entire being was self-sacrifice, he did not ask any questions and acted in a zealous manner.
Indeed, the practical directive to be derived from Pinchas is as follows: Every Jew must strive for this essential self-sacrifice, strengthening Jewish observance and disseminating Torah and mitzvot with selfless devotion, ignoring ostensible obstacles and giving oneself over to G-d wholeheartedly. G-d will then respond in kind, enabling us to serve Him in a manner of "wonder," and we will successfully bring about the Final Redemption.
Reprinted from the Parashat Pinchas 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim, a publication of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn. Adapted from Volume 33 of Likutei Sichot.
Another Thought for Our Parsha
And Moses did as the L-rd commanded him, and he took Joshua...and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge (Deut. 27: 22-23)
The Talmud relates that Moses passed the mantle of leadership to Joshua "even more generously, and to a greater degree than he was commanded." (Moses had been commanded to "put some of your honor upon him.") Commented Rabbi Yossi Bar Chanina: From this we learn that a person is not jealous of his disciple. (Tractate Sanhedrin)
Reprinted from the Parashat Pinchas 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim
