REFLECTIONS ON: PARSHAT PINCHAS 5785 – GUARDING THE GATES OF HOLINESS

בס”דI

토라를 삶에 접목하는 것은 묵상과 대화를 통해 놀라울 정도로 즐겁고 몰입도 높은 경험이 될 수 있습니다. 이는 고대 지혜와 시대를 초월하는 가르침이 우리의 일상 속에서 생생하게 살아 숨 쉬는 발견의 여정입니다. 묵상을 통해 우리는 토라의 풍부한 가르침 속으로 깊이 들어가 현대 생활과 공명하는 심오한 통찰과 교훈을 얻을 수 있습니다. 기쁨은 토라 구절이나 이야기가 우리의 개인적인 어려움, 열망, 가치관과 갑자기 연결되는 '아하' 하는 깨달음의 순간에 있습니다. 또한 다른 사람들과 토라에 대해 대화를 나누다 보면, 다양한 관점과 해석이 이해를 더욱 깊게 해주는 상호적인 탐구가 됩니다. 이러한 대화는 종종 흥미와 지적 호기심을 불러일으켜 학습 과정을 즐겁고 만족스럽게 만들어 줍니다. 토라는 우리 삶의 활기차고 역동적인 부분이 되어, 단순히 지침만 제공하는 것이 아니라 끝없는 매력, 연결, 그리고 성장의 원천이 됩니다.

참고: 모든 자료를 살펴보거나 모든 질문에 답해야 한다는 부담감을 가질 필요는 없습니다. 원하신다면 그렇게 하셔도 좋습니다. 단 하나의 자료나 질문만으로도 토론과 사색을 위한 충분한 소재를 얻을 수 있을 것입니다. 즐겁게 활용하세요!

Some thoughts about Parshat Pinchas

“Harass the Midianites and smite them; for they harass you with their schemes, luring you into Peor worship.”
(Numbers 25:17–18)

In this week’s Torah portion, G-d commands Moses not only to defeat the Midianites in battle but also to maintain a mindset of opposition toward them. This is unusual. In most cases, Torah laws of war focus on defense, justice, or survival—not emotional orientation. Yet here the Israelites are specifically told to cultivate an attitude of resistance toward the Midianites because of the spiritual danger they posed.

Why this focus on hatred? Why is Midian different from Egypt, Edom, or other historical enemies of Israel?

The Spiritual Threat Beyond Physical War

The answer lies in the nature of the attack. Midian’s strategy was not military but moral. Their aim was to destroy Israel’s connection to G-d by tempting them into sexual immorality and idol worship. According to tradition, this was orchestrated by Balaam, who realized that Israel could not be cursed or defeated directly. Instead, he advised the Midianites and Moabites to lure the Israelites into corrupt behavior, knowing that this would cause spiritual collapse from within.

This was not merely a cultural difference. It was a deliberate attempt to sever Israel’s relationship with the Source of life itself.

The Slonimer Rebbe explains that 케두샤—holiness—begins with setting boundaries in intimate matters. When a society breaks down those boundaries, it erodes faith in G-d. The Midianite tactic was to use immorality as the gateway to idolatry, and once that connection was broken, everything else fell apart.

This is why the Torah commands not just military retaliation but emotional vigilance. To “harass” Midian means to maintain an awareness of who your true spiritual enemies are—not merely people, but ideologies and influences that work to separate humanity from the Divine.

Responsibility: Individual and Cultural

Of course, personal accountability remains central. Every person is responsible for their own actions. The Israelites who fell into idolatry were punished for their own choices. But Torah wisdom also recognizes the power of culture and environment. Societies create conditions that make certain choices easier or harder. If a culture normalizes addiction, promiscuity, violence, or cruelty, individuals living in that culture face greater spiritual risks. That culture shares the blame.

Today, the same question remains relevant. Are the influences around us promoting spiritual growth, dignity, and closeness to G-d—or do they pull us in the opposite direction? Are we too quick to make peace with ideas and behaviors that actually separate us from what matters most?

The Goodness of Closeness to G-d

King David wrote, “As for me, closeness to G-d is good.” (Psalms 73:28) This isn’t just a religious statement—it’s a description of human flourishing. According to Jewish tradition, the purpose of life is to draw closer to G-d by living in alignment with His values. That applies to Jews and to righteous Gentiles alike.

그만큼 Derech Hashem (Path of G-d) by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto emphasizes that every person is created for this closeness. We achieve it by refining our character, cultivating compassion, seeking justice, and holding fast to morality even when the world around us suggests otherwise.

For Noahides: A Universal Lesson

While the specific commandments about Midian and Israelite nationhood do not apply to Noahides, the core message does. Every human being has a relationship with the Creator. That relationship can be strengthened or weakened by the environments we choose and the influences we allow into our lives.

This does not mean cultivating hate for people. It means learning to recognize when cultural forces—media, trends, ideologies—are toxic to the soul, and having the courage to oppose them. We must not allow our spiritual sensitivities to be dulled by the normalization of what’s harmful.

이제 다음 질문들을 생각해 보십시오.

What ideas or cultural trends around me encourage distance from G-d rather than closeness?
Do I maintain moral boundaries in areas that society pressures me to blur?
How do I balance compassion for individuals with resistance to harmful ideologies?
Do I actively cultivate spiritual growth, or do I drift along with the culture?
What daily practice can I add to strengthen my connection with the Divine?

May we all be blessed to pursue a life of true meaning, to guard our spiritual integrity, and to walk in closeness with G-d, day by day.

샤밧 샬롬!

PDF

샤밧 샬롬!

랍비 타니 버튼 지음

더 생각해 볼 만한 질문을 원하시면, 랍비 타니 버튼의 다른 파르샤트 관련 블로그 글도 확인해 보세요.