About KBY

We the Hebrew people rationalize and reason why certain things happen in life. As difficult as it sometimes is to accept it, we nevertheless try our best. It is through the approach that “Gam Zu L’Tova” “everything is for the best”, or “we don’t know why things happen” are different approaches to difficult times but brings God into the picture thus bringing us closer to Him. . I recently heard a beautiful word of Torah about the name of Hashem and the word Shalom which is one of God’s names. If we exemplify the middos of Hashem through peaceful action, will we then acquire a stronger bond and relationship with Hashem.

The focus of peace is highlighted in the beginning of this week’s Parashat Pinchas. Following last week’s episode at the end of Parashats Balak, Pinchas rises up and kills Zimri ben Saloo and Kazbi bas Tzur as they committed a public act of immorality. Many had challenged Pinchas’ brazenness and quick action calling into question whether he acted properly or not. God backed up Pinchas as is stated in Bamidbar 25:12-13 “Lachein Emor Hinini Nosein Lo Es Brisi Shalom. V’Hayisa Lo uL’Zaro Acharav Bris Kehunas Olam, Tachas Asher Kinei LeiLohav Vayichapear Al Bnei Yisrael”. “Therefore, I say; Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace. And it should be to him and his seed after him the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel”.

The commentaries explain God made a covenant of peace with Pinchas because he defended His honor. The word ‘kinei’ describes Pinchas being jealous for Hashem and standing up for Him. The word Kinei is spelled with an aleph. I would like to use my literary license (and within Halachik literature) substitute the ‘aleph’ with the letter ‘hey’. The word still spells out ‘kinei’ but can also be read as ‘knei’ to acquire. Since Pinchas acquired something for Hashem it turned out to be an atonement for the Hebrew people. The item that Pinchas acquired was Shalom/peace as his actions calmed this rebellious action of Zimri. There was a great deal of confusion and unrest at the time Zimri and Kazbi performed a sin in public. Pinchas restored the peace and calm that ravaged the Hebrew camp.

The Torah’s message becomes clear with the understanding that in order for us to rise to the level of a Pinchas we do not necessarily need to seek out public sinners in order to defend God’s honor. Rather the secret to defending God’s honor is by bringing peace into every situation we find ourselves in. Whether we diffuse a fight between two friends in the way Aharon HaKohein did or create Shalom Bayit in a home and within family is the most obvious ways of recalling Hashem. Perhaps there is a greater way to bring and defend the honor of Hashem that is outside the realm of our homes, family and friends. It is the times we find ourselves under dire pressure and upsetting circumstances that test our patience. This is the time to display a more peaceful disposition that brings us closer to Hashem.

There is not a doubt in my mind that the way we Yisraelites acted during an awful situation like that of Kozbi and Zimri created a covenant with Hashem due to the ‘peace’ in the manner that Pinchas behaved. In contrast there are second group that we say “who are you? Who do you think you are? Who make you the prosecutor, judge and executioner over us? Are lives is our and we can do whatever we want, we are free. This people are the complete opposite by creating a raucous and therefore brought discord and separation between them and God.

In conclusion the numerical value (gematria) of the word ‘shalom is three hundred seventy-six. The two words Zehu Moshiach (this is Messiah) also equals three hundred seventy-six. Pointing to the necessary component that will ultimately bring Moshiach is by providing and creating peace among ourselves and in all situations, we seem to be in. Creating an atmosphere of Shalom/peace is something we are all capable of doing at many points of our life. Let us bring peace and strengthen the Brit/covenant that will ultimately be the cause of Hashem to rebuild the Bait HaMikdash in our soul speedily.



Remember Torah is all about relationship NOT religion!!!

Shabbat Shalom!!!

Typically, with the start of summer, it’s common to ask, “What are your plans for this summer?” Since school ended, it’s common for many families, time permitting/finance, to go on a family vacation together. If it’s not possible to take time off from work, parents need to either hire childcare, or, if financially feasible, to send their children to day camp or even sleep away camp. Whatever the situation, a fair amount of advance planning is required. In truth, it’s not only the summer but throughout the year, and, indeed, throughout life that people plan trips, schedule meetings for work, make travel arrangements for business and pleasure, make plans to remodel their home, and so on and so forth.

In the back of our minds, the subconscious knows yet seems to assert little concern regarding whether things will go according to plan. We understand (but do not necessarily believe) that ultimately something will happen to us! The concern is predicated upon the deep core belief that we know God runs the world and that things could change at moment’s notice. No one needs to be reminded about the ‘event’ around Iran, Israel and U.S.A; disruptions are bound to happen anywhere from something – small or large. If I had to guess, I would bet that almost everyone reading this right now knows at least one person who has been affected by this event currently taking place. Most cancelations and delays are due to weather and a shortage of air gasoline.

Now that we are experiencing this challenge, it becomes more apparent that there are two issues which are out of the consumers’ control; human failure and mother nature (otherwise known as HaKadosh Baruch Hu, God Himself!). Either way, knowing things are out of our control, does not mean that we can live life without at least a modicum of planning. The world runs on a system of making appointments, buying tickets in advance, and so on. The question is how do we balance these two ideas of planning in advance knowing fully well things may not turn out the way we planned?

In the past I have written about and quoted a famous verse from Mishlei 19:21 where Shlomo HaMelech says, "רבות מחשבות בלב איש, ועצת ה' היא תקום" - “There are many thoughts in a man’s heart, but the plan of Hashem, that shall stand”. This statement of king Solomon apparently limits our ability to navigate (not necessarily control) our lives. A few days ago, I was thinking about this Mishlei and came up with a new understanding of this verse. Shlomo HaMelech’s understanding of how the world operates. For the ongoing process of the world, we human beings clearly need to look a little ahead, taking the time to plan. The question always comes back: “how much effort or planning do we really need to do?”. The thoughts - are the essence of planning, looking ahead to the things in life and that are necessary and acceptable. However, when we start to overthink, to attempt to micromanage every detail, we lose sight of who is really in control. Trying to figure things out so that “I” will always come out on top is where the warning and where reality comes into play. The ultimate and final scenes are determined from above. We must recognize and consider that all the time. We find a similar pattern of thinking in several places throughout the Torah.

This week we read two parashot: Chukat and Balak. In the second parashat, the Torah relates the story of Balak, king of Moav, who hired Bilaam to curse the Hebrew people. The narrative is crystal clear. Balak summons Bilaam who refuses to come. A second set of messengers is sent to convince Bilaam to go with them and fulfill the wishes of Balak to curse the nation of G-d. The Torah, in Bamidbar 22:20, states: "ויבא אלוקים אל בלעם לילה ויאמר לו, אם-לקרא לך באו האנשים קום לך אתם ואך את הדבר אשר אדבר אליך אתו תעשה" “That night, God appeared to Bilaam and said to him, ‘If the men have come to summon you, set out and go with them. But only do exactly as I instruct you.” Reluctantly, Hashem allows Bilaam to go. Repeatedly Bilaam says to the men and eventually to Balak, “I can only say what Hashem instructs me to say.” Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz in his manuscript Kodesh Hilulim asks the following: Instead of saying as I instruct you to do, shouldn’t it have been written ‘just as I say’? Rather, the Midrash states, “Come and see how beloved the Hebrew people are to Hashem.” God allows His presence to be with a rasha, a wicked person, for the benefit of Klal Yisrael. The understanding here is Hashem says to Bilaam to “go with them”.

Hashem explains to Bilaam that he can go with them but there will not be any benefit to Bilaam against My people. Only that which I tell you to say will you be successful, in that it will help the Hebrew people. When Hashem speaks to Bilaam, Hashem allows His Shechina to rest upon Bilaam. This is the single and only instruction through which Bilaam can act. The only good thoughts Bilaam could have are solely those that Hashem needed Bilaam to have in order to do good for Am Yisrael. We take the lesson at its core: whatever ends up happening connects directly to the original source/thought that only Hashem will allow for our benefit as well.



Remember Torah is all about relationship NOT religion!!!

Shabbat Shalom!!!