Pinchas 5771

In this week's parsha, G-d recognizes Pinchas for his zealous action (related at the end of last week's parsha.) Enraged that the Israelites turned to harlotry and idolatry, Pinchas kills Zimri, an Israelite who, in a flagrant breach of Torah law, takes a Midianite woman into his tent. "Pinchas the son of Eleazar the son of Aharon the Kohen has turned My anger away from the Children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me among them...Therefore, say, 'I hereby give him My covenant of peace.'"

What is the significance of the covenant of peace?

The Midrash says that because Pinchas brought peace between the Jewish people and G-d, Pinchas will be the harbinger of peace in the future.  He will live extraordinarily long and appear as the prophet Eliyahu (Elijah.)  it is perhaps with this understanding of shalom (peace) in in the sense of well being and longevity, that when a baby boy is brought for his b'rit milah (ritual circumcision), it is customary to recite the first three verses of this week's parsha.  Furthermore, it is customary to to place an honorary seat for Eliyahu at every b'rit milah because in Eliyahu's time, Israel stopped observing b'rit milah, and unable to bear this, Eliyahu left.  The Midrash says that G-d promised Eliyahu that Israel will not perform b'rit milah until Eliyahu sees it with his own eyes. Eliyahu is thus considered the messenger of the covenant.

Milah, known as b'rit kodesh (a sign of the holy covenant) is a sign of the morality in intimate affairs by which we are obligated to abide. By killing Zimri, who blatantly displayed immorality, Pinchas was able to end this wanton behavior and save the nation of Israel. At every b'rit milah, we renew our b'rit (covenant) with G-d and ensure the preservation of morality and modesty.  As parents who live in a world in which what once was X-rated is R-rated, it is critical to keep our interactions G-rated and transmit to our children values of morality and modesty.