One
thing we should constantly strive for is to be able to see the next generation
succeed - to watch our children grow up in a sound and structured environment
that is centered on Messiah and Torah. There is a great joy in watching future
generations singing and dancing as they follow the Torah processional around
the synagogues every Sabbath. It is vital that we have a deep desire to provide
a place where our children can find rest and peace. We must learn to put our
differences aside and work toward something greater.
In
this week's parsha, we see a great deal of passion for the next generation. It
all starts out with HaShem blessing Pinchas for his zeal.
"HaShem spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Phinehas son of Elazar son
of Aaron the Kohen, turned back My wrath from upon the Children of Israel, when
he zealously avenged My vengeance among them, so I did not consume the Children
of Israel in My vengeance, Therefore, say: "Behold! I give him My covenant of
peace. And it shall be for him and his offspring after him a covenant of
eternal priesthood, because he took vengeance for his G-d, and he atoned for
the children of Israel."'" Bamidbar
25:10-13
By
Pinchas' act of zeal, he managed to save Israel's
future from the sin that was unfolding, from the plague HaShem sent, and from
the wrath of HaShem¾perhaps
even total annihilation. Pinchas' actions gave hope for the next generation. In
reward, Pinchas was granted a covenant of peace for him and his offspring
(generations to come) and the honors of priesthood. Pinchas was able to save a
nation with his passion for righteousness, protecting future generations.
Further
on in the Torah portion, we see another great example of the zealousness that
we should all have for the next generation.
"The Daughters of Zelophehad, sons of Hepher, son of Gilead,
son of Machir, son of Manasseh, of the families of Mannasseh son of Joseph drew
near, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah
and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the Kohen, and before
the leaders of the entire assembly saying: ‘Our father died in the wilderness,
but he was not among the assembly that as gathered against HaShem in the
assembly of Korah, but died of his own sin: and he had no sons. Why should the
name of our father be omitted from among his family because he had no sons?
Give us a possession among our father's brothers' and Moses brought their claim
before HaShem." Bamidbar 27:1-5
The daughters
of Zelophehad realized the need to make a place for themselves and their future
generations. They knew they had to both honor the previous generation and make
room for the future one. They stood up with a courageous voice and spoke their
concern, yet where humble and compassionate enough to honor the generations
before them.
Again we find
that HaShem gave a reward to those who considered the future generation. What
would Israel have looked
like if Pinchas did not stand up and fight for his generation and the future
one? What will it look like for us if we do not state our voice for both this
generation and future ones? What can we teach the future generation if the only
thing we have to offer is strife and ignorance? What can they learn from that?
Nothing.
One of the
most important goals/outcomes of the Messianic movement is passing our love for
Messiah and Torah on to the next generation. How do we do this? Well, one step
would be to stop the strife and as Rav Shaul (Paul) says, outdo one another
with honor.
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to
what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to
one another in honor;not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to
prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."
Romans 12:9-13 [NASB]
May we all be
like the daughters of Zelophehad, thinking about and preparing for future generations. May we all have the courageous compassion to
love one another and create a better place for our children. HaShem gave us
this path and He gave us our generation. May we, in our zeal, outdo one another
with honor and show compassion towards each other as we prepare a better place
for the future generation.
