As our parashah opens, Hashem says of Pinchas: “Behold! I give him My covenant of shalom / harmony.” R’ Azaryah Figo z”l (Italy; 1579-1647) writes: Just as man’s physical existence depends on good health–preferably, staying healthy, but at a minimum, taking medicine–so society’s existence depends on unity and love. Ideally, we would always feel shalom and brotherhood so that we would not come to dissension and separation; at a minimum, we must pursue shalom to repair any breaches among us.
He continues: We learn in Pirkei Avot (ch.1), “Be among the students of Aharon: lover of shalom and pursuer of shalom, he loved people and brought them closer to the Torah.” Being a “student of Aharon” means that one is personally at peace with everyone. Otherwise, it is impossible to emulate Aharon by pursuing peace among warring individuals or groups.
We read in Tehilim (120:7), “I am shalom, and when I speak, they are for war.” R’ Figo explains: There are some people who speak softly, but who are full of conflict inside. On the other hand, there are people who are gentle inside but who speak gruffly, or even harshly. King David said, “I have the best trait of each of these groups: ‘I am shalom, and [also] when I speak, [I speak shalom].’ But the wicked are not so; ‘they are [always ready] for war.’ Even when they speak gently, it is only to lull the listener into complacence.”
R’ Figo continues: The proper path is to hold on firmly to shalom in both forms that we mentioned, i.e., always loving, and doing whatever is possible to eliminate hatred. (Binah La’ittim: Drush Eit Shalom)
