Consistent Passion

Advertisements
Advertisements

5 min read

FacebookTwitterLinkedInPrintFriendlyShare

Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1 )

Pinchas courageously takes a stand against the rampant wave of idolatry and sexual immorality caused by Moabite and Midianite women enticing Jewish men. He is rewarded for his courage, and the Israelites are subsequently commanded to wage a war on the Midianites. Subsequent noteworthy events include Zelophechad’s daughters receiving their rightful inheritance, and Joshua being appointed as Moses’ successor, the new leader of the Jewish nation. Yet following these remarkable events, we are almost let down with the description of the somewhat mundane sacrifices, in particular the korban tamid (continual daily offering), ‘The one lamb you shall make in the morning and the second lamb shall you make in the afternoon’ (Num. 28:4), which has already been mentioned previously in Parashat Tetzaveh (Ex. 29:38-42). In light of the aforementioned dramatic events of Parashat Pinchas, why are we revisiting the very ordinary subject of the continual daily offering?

An intriguing midrash discusses the question of which of the Torah’s verses is the most fundamental:

Ben Zoma says we find a more fundamental verse, being, ‘Hear O Israel…’ (Deut. 6:4). Ben Nannas says we find a more fundamental verse, being, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Lev. 19:18). Shimon ben Pazi says we find a more fundamental verse, being, ‘The one lamb you shall make in the morning…’ (Num. 28:4). Rav Ploni stood on his feet and said, ‘The halacha is like ben Pazi’ (Rabbi Yaakov ibn Chaviv, Introduction to Ein Yaakov).

If you ask a Jewish child what the most important verse in the Torah is, he or she is likely to agree with ben Zoma and state: ‘Shema Yisrael’ (Hear O Israel). We are commanded to recite twice daily this short verse that describes the absolute unity of God and represents His eternal relationship with the Jewish people. If not this verse, it would also be easy to agree with ben Nannas, who says, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Indeed, Rabbi Akiva calls this a ‘great principle’ (Tractate Nedarim 9:4), and when asked to recite the entire Torah on one foot, Hillel paraphrases this verse describing man’s integral relationship with his fellow (Tractate Shabbat 31a). It is unlikely that anyone would suggest the opinion of Shimon ben Pazi, citing the verse from our parasha. Yet the halachic conclusion of this cryptic midrash concurs with ben Pazi’s opinion. What is so special about this verse?

My rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yehuda Amital z”l, explains that the non-spectacular nature of this verse is exactly what renders it significant. It does not describe any miraculous historical events, nor moments of spiritual ecstasy. But by continuing to bring the same offering, twice every single day, the Jew expresses commitment with conviction. Shimon ben Pazi is suggesting that dedication, consistency and continuity are the most fundamental elements in Torah life.

Merely two verses later, the Torah makes mention of Mount Sinai, saying, ‘It is the continual elevation offering that was done at Mount Sinai for a satisfying aroma, a fire offering to God’ (Num. 28:6). What is the connection between the verse highlighted by Shimon ben Pazi and the story of Mount Sinai?

While the daily offering is indicative of the value of consistent routine, the inherent danger of consistency is the apathy that can lie beneath the surface of routine – the capacity of a person to become so used to a task that it becomes mundane and complacency sets in.

In contrast, Mount Sinai and the events of the Revelation represent the height of inspiration, excitement and spirituality. Mount Sinai, the epitome of passion, is juxtaposed with the daily offering – the epitome of routine. It is precisely this juxtaposition of seemingly contradictory religious experiences that highlights the balance we are required to strike. While in order to integrate Torah and Judaism within our daily lives, we must be persistent in our pursuit of consistency and routine, at the same time, in order to stave off the real risks of complacency, we must seek the moments of passion and inspiration.

King David expresses this idea in an apparent paradox: ‘One thing I ask of God, that I seek: That I may dwell in the House of God all the days of my life, to see the pleasantness of God and to visit in His Sanctuary’ (Psalms 27:4). The concepts of ‘the House of God’ and ‘His Sanctuary’ are synonymous yet dwelling and visiting are two entirely different experiences. So, what does King David’s request mean?

Later on in the book of Numbers, the Jewish people, who were redeemed from Egypt with ten wondrous plagues, were witness to the miraculous splitting of the sea, were fed and guided through a barren desert by God Himself and received the Torah at Mount Sinai, begin to complain. Despite constantly experiencing, or dwelling with, God’s divine intervention, they have come to take it for granted. This explains the double nature of King David’s request to dwell in the House of God while also visiting in His Sanctuary. King David is requesting that his experience of dwelling in the House of God be imbued with the sense of excitement and anticipation experienced when visiting somewhere for the first time. He is seeking to protect his daily routine from the risk of complacency by infusing it with passion and inspiration.

The Torah is encouraging us to seek a life of consistent dedication and routine, balanced with a sense of passion and allowing space for the moments of greater excitement and inspiration.

Click here to comment on this article
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
EXPLORE
LEARN
MORE
Explore
Learn
Resources
Next Steps
About
Donate
Menu
Languages
Menu
Social
.