Bs”d
Parshas Pinchas (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
We have in our parsha the commandment for the most important day on our calendar—Rosh Hashanah, when we proclaim Hashem’s sovereignty over the world. The climax and the most important act we do on this significant day is the blowing of the shofar which is alluded to by the words “Yom Teruah”. There is no hint or meaning in these words that relate to the shofar and the gemara sends us to the Targum Unkelus—”yom yevava” that likewise sheds no light. The road then leads to the exclamation of the mother of Sisra, which is also unclear. The lesson is that the greatest truths are hidden; also that the mitzvah of shofar itself contains hidden lessons.
Regarding the commandment of Succos in the parsha (12:12) Rashi brings that the sacrifices of the bulls were symbolic and represented the seventy nations of the world. In the fact that the number of sacrifices diminished daily we symbolically declare that the nations of the world will eventually disappear from the face of the universe. This seemingly contradicts and is diametrically opposed to what Rashi brings immediately after the above that the sacrifice of these bulls offered a protection to the nations from the affliction of possible harm.
Perhaps we can reconcile and explain with the understanding that the nations surely serve a purpose in the universe and so does the whole materialistic mechanism. It acts as an auxiliary for the true service of Hashem. However, the nations don’t have intrinsic value and therefore they will eventually disappear. Only Klal Yisroel and the Torah have intrinsic significance. The recognition and declaration of this by us is a great zchus for them and serves as a protection from harm for them. Likewise the understanding and recognition that all materialism is for the service of Hashem brings to it all a zchus and true blessing.
We hope and pray, especially at this time that we commemorate the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash that we should speedily see its redemption and rebuilding, and we shall once again offer sacrifices to Hashem for Klal Yisroel and for the whole creation.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.