Pinchas
Connection to Healing
Creating Balance to Heal
TThe portion begins this week immediately after Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron the High Priest, kills Zimri and Kozbi with a spear while they are having immoral sexual relations in clear view of the community. Pinchas’ actions stops a plague that had already claimed the lives 24,000 people, and G-d grants him and his descendants an eternal covenant of Priesthood as a reward. With the exception of Moses’ transfer of leadership, the portion revisits subjects introduced in earlier portions, with little additional discussion of healing or Pinchas himself.
Why then is this portion so deeply connected to healing, and why does the Zohar devote an entire volume of commentary to it?
The Zohar and Kabbalists reveal two profound reasons. First, the twelve Tribes had fallen into a state of spiritual and physical dis-ease through immoral behavior and idolatry. Their actions reflected an imbalance - an excess of unrestricted mercy and self-indulgence. where everyone pursued whatever brought personal pleasure without boundaries or responsibility.
To restore balance, Pinchas acted with extreme judgment. His decisive action immediately stopped the plague and restored equilibrium to the nation. Likewise, we are challenged to create balance in our own lives by cultivating an appropriate measure of mercy and judgment. Too much of either ultimately creates imbalance; true healing comes from knowing when to express compassion and when to establish healthy boundaries.
Second, the Kabbalists teach that the key to achieving happiness and fulfillment is by converting the natural tendencies of ego, body consciousness and selfishness into the desire to share and help others. When Pinchas witnessed the immoral sexual behavior taking place, he did not think of himself and consider his potential death as a result of killing another person, his potential loss of position and status within the priesthood or his contravention of Torah law.
Rather, he acted in a supra-rational way in order to achieve what he believed to be right. By rising above the written word and acting with complete self-sacrifice, he was vindicated for his actions and provided by G-d with a covenant of peace for himself and his descendants. His selfless actions epitomize the conversion of the desire to receive for the self alone into the desire to share – providing for healing and blessings. We can learn from Pinchas’ actions the importance of attempting to rise above the desires of our ego in order to attain the consciousness of sharing.
Energy for the Three Week Period
This year, the portion of Pinchas falls during the negative three week period (The Three Weeks) – spanning from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av. Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av is considered the most difficult day in Jewish history. It marks the destruction of both Temples, the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and numerous other tragedies throughout history. These events did not occur on the same day by coincidence. Kabbalah teaches that this period represents a recurring spiritual window during which time the energy of judgement is more accessible.
Rather than becoming vulnerable to that energy, Pinchas provides a spiritual antidote. By connecting to the consciousness of balance, selflessness, and peace found in this week's portion, we draw mercy that tempers judgment. Pinchas serves as a spiritual shield during the Three Weeks, helping us transform a period of judgment into to an opportunity for protection, healing, and growth.
The Small Yud
The letter “Yud” symbolizes several important concepts:
(i) G-d , as it is the first letter of the Divine Name (Yud Kei Vav Kei);
(ii) Spiritual completion, as its numerical value is 10, corresponding to the Ten Sephirot; and
(iii) Community, since a minyan requires ten individuals.
Following Pinchas' courageous act, the Torah adds the letter Yud to his name. The Kabbalists explain that by acting beyond his comfort zone and placing the needs of others ahead of his own, Pinchas merited an infusion of divine consciousness and protection.
Yet the Yud in his name is written smaller than usual. The message is profound. As we become vessels for greater Light and blessing, we must become smaller is our own eyes. Our accomplishments should increase our humility - not our ego. We are merely channels through which the Creator's Light flows. The small Yud teaches that genuine spiritual growth is always accompanied by greater humility.
The Broken Vav
In order for a Torah to be “kosher” it must be perfect. A broken letter or two letters touching renders the Torah invalid. However, in this week's portion, the word Shalom ("peace") contains an intentionally broken Vav.
Some commentators suggest that because peace peace was achieved through violence, the peace itself appears incomplete,
Another Kabbalistic perspective offers different insght. As we enter the Three Week negative period from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av, we can use the broken Vav as an opportunity to connect to the word shalom and infuse our consciousness to amplify and achieve peace. By recognizing and seeing the defect in the word for “peace”, we have the opportunity to focus our intention on bringing peace to our selves, our homes, the world and the nation of Israel.
Separation from Negativity
A unique blank space appears in this week’s Torah portion immediately following the word magefa ("plague"). The Torah intentionally creates distance between the plague and what follows.
This teaches an important spiritual principal: create space between yourself and negativity. Whether it is a toxic relationship, a destructive environment, an unhealthy habit, or persistent negative thinking, healing often comes from intentionally creating distance. Sometimes the most spiritual action we can take is simply stepping away from what diminishes our consciousness, protecting our environment and our soul.
Practical Tools for the Week
1. Practice Balanced Judgment
Before reacting to a difficult situation, pause and ask: Am I responding from compassion, from discipline, or from ego? Seek the balance between kindness and healthy boundaries.
2. Perform One Completely Selfless Act
Choose one act of kindness this week that no one knows about and for which you expect nothing in return. This helps transform the desire to receive into the desire to share.
3. Create Space from Negativity
Identify one source of negativity - a relationship, habit, media source, or recurring thought pattern - and intentionally create a little distance from it this week. Even a small separation can create room for greater peace, clarity, and healing.
Resources & Credits
The Weekly Wisdom emails and the ideas presented herein are compiled from the following sources:
Gutnick Edition Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Targum Onkelos, and commentary anthologized from Classic Rabbinic Texts and the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Apples from the Orchard - Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria on the Weekly Torah Portion
Kabbalistic Bible - Kabbalah Centre International, Inc
The Zohar - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, various translations
Mysteries of the Kabbalah - Marc-Alain Ouaknin
Wikipedia
Other online written and video content that discusses and shares Kabbalistic Wisdom