You Are Cordially Invited to Rabbi Kurinsky's Torah Class

So maybe it's not possible to attend his weekly classes here in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. But Rabbi Kurinsky has graciously allowed me to recap his classes for you so that you may "attend" them virtually.

I won't replay the entire class each week, but I will give you some highlights. In addition, Rabbi Kurinsky invites your "ask the rabbi" questions on this week's parasha at nochum@bellsouth.net.

It is a bit of a shock to learn that Hashem instructs Moses to attack the Midianites in retribution for the incident of Peor and the incident with the Midianite, Cosbi. Revenge is not something that is advocated in Judaism. So why the exception?

The Midianites knew that Hashem was with the Jews. In the previous parasha of Balak, Bilaam the prophet is ordered to curse the Jews. But Hashem was on Balak's lips and only blessings could he speak, "how lovely are your tents o Jacob..."

The only opportunity the Midianite kings could conceive of to defeat the Jewish people, was to turn Hashem's wrath against the Jews. Only if Hashem was not with them could the Jews be destroyed. Even the daughters of the kings were offered in service to seduce the Jews and entice them into sexual depravity and ultimately into idolotry. Hashem's anger toward the Jews paled compared to His outrage at the depravity and viciousness of the Midianites. Torah teaches that is is far more serious to cause someone else to commit an avera, than to personally commit a sin against Hashem.

Pinchas was rewarded with Hashem's eternal friendship for putting a stop to the assimilation that was becoming more blatant and destructive with every day that it was tolerated. Today we see assimilation as no big deal. Jews marry non Jews at an alarming rate. Torah teaching is often watered down for the sake of not being so intrusive. Sometimes we have to stop overthinking a problem and act for the sake of heaven.

Chassidus teaches far more about this story and the good that came from the chaos. What we can take from this is that everything is in the hands of Hashem. Even rebellious people and rebellious acts can be used as an instrument for longterm good.

Kol tuv.