FOR MATOS
PIECES OF PEACE
A couple of weeks ago, the Almighty blessed us with another grandchild. Our daughter, Chanah Raskin, and her daughter, Chayah, are doing well, thank G-d. Mrs. Lew, the proud grandmother, has spent the past couple of weeks deriving Nachas and pleasure, while spending time with our children.
As a result of these happy developments, this proud grandfather has had to spend time unhappily at home alone. True, the sacrifice is with a full, complete and glad heart, but when reality stares one in the face, it becomes complicated.
One typical example occurred the other day: I overestimated how much bread and Challah would be necessary for the scaled-down needs in my house. I soon had bread that was inedible, certainly unfit for humans. And so, I did what should be expected: I broke the bread into smaller pieces and threw it all outside on the lawn. This was for the birds, I figured.
Aside from the birds, a veritable zoo showed up: squirrels, a beautiful silver-tailed fox, a couple of armadillos, some rabbits, even a turtle stopped by, plus a mother deer and her two fawns. All of these were spotted from my window at different times of the day. This was in addition to all the varied colored birds, including some beautifully bright red cardinals. Some birds showed up as families, little ones in tow. Our lawn does border on a forest, so it was not unexpected, but it was mesmerizing.
While the entertainment was fascinating, one point soon became very clear. Despite the abundance of food over a wide swath of the lawn, each time more than one creature of the same species arrived, it first chased away the previous creature – if that creature had not left on its own, sensing the arrival of the other. This was especially so with the birds and squirrels. While so many pieces of bread were spread all over the place, they had to go for the piece being pecked and nibbled at by the other creature, aggressively dive bombing at them, pushing them away.
I would imagine that creatures of the animal kingdom have good instinct. This behavior may be a safety and security measure. Who knows? The fact remains: while these creatures eventually cleaned up every crumb of the plentiful bounty of food, they were, at the same time, squabbling, arguing, and fighting with the others.
Such is life in the animal kingdom. The bigger and stronger always win, and every means is employed to achieve victory, even absurdity, cruelty, and brutality. This occurs because all the creature perceives is itself. Despite all the available food, the other creature is eating my food! The whole field is mine because I am bigger, I am stronger, I am better.
This is not the case, nor should it be, with human beings. It is expected of humans to be considerate of others, to get along with one’s fellow, and to behave like a Mensch at least in the presence of others. And surely when the bounty is plentiful, to live and let live.
How should one then react when people choose to behave like creatures, each seeking to destroy the other just because? A look in this week’s Torah portion, “Matos,” gives a very clear and direct response. Continuing an episode from previous portions, the Torah records an instruction from the almighty to Moses: “Take revenge against the Midianites for the children of Israel.” (B’midbar (Numbers) 31:2.) Moses immediately mobilizes eligible combatants for this war, which he terms as “G-d’s revenge against Midian.” (31:3.) The Almighty considers this war “revenge for the children of Israel.” Moses calls it “G-d’s revenge.”
This instruction and eventual war was directed against the Midianites, who, for no legitimate reason, led a particularly nasty move against the Jewish people. To recall: Balak, the king of the Moabite nation, summoned the immoral prophet, Balaam, a Midianite, to curse the Jewish people. Balak was intimidated by the Jewish people’s presence. The Almighty foiled this plan, as Balaam’s curses were transformed into blessings. (Chapters 23-24.) Balaam then advised Balak to implement a plot that worked: to destroy the Jewish people by tempting them into immorality with the Moabite women. As a result of the temptation, those lured participated in the feasts the Moabites offered to their idols. The Jewish people prostrated themselves to those fake g-ds. Twenty-four thousand Jews died as a result of a plague related to this shameful incident. (chapter 25.)
The Moabite women were not the only guilty ones. The women of the neighboring country, Midian, were also involved, encouraged by their native prophet, Balaam. The Midianites had no gripe with the Jewish people. The Moabites could have been intimidated by the presence of the Jewish people. Their scheme was to give themselves up for the sole purpose of spite. They intended to entrap the Jewish men, with gain to themselves. This was an attack against the children of Israel, and against their G-d, away from Whom they were prying His people. This is baseless hatred at its finest. The word “Midian,” in fact, actually means “strife.”
Against this form of animalistic behavior, the war was waged. This war was: 1) organized by Moses, 2) required the participation of each tribe, 3) wiped out the threat of this ever happening again, and 4) provided spoils of war for the people.
Baseless strife, discord and hatred stem from ego. One feels entitled, jealous, or threatened by another, and lashes out. It was to be the task of Moses, the selfless one, to organize the destruction of Midian, literally of strife. Selfless people focus on other’s positive qualities, judging them favorably. Each tribe, representing all types of people, needed to be involved, for this is lesson to all: The threat is always prevalent, and the solution is always to wipe out baseless hatred. At the same time, the spoils, the positive elements, are to be incorporated into good.
One can also take this message for the current violence in the Holy Land: Every opportunity had been given to these people to prosper and grow. There was enough room for everyone to grow. Fueled by animalistic violence, centered on baseless hatred, their leaders have, instead, initiated vehement destruction. Their evil infrastructure must now be fully eliminated.
The quiet in my house will soon be gone. In the meantime, the birth of a grandchild has given me an opportunity to look outside the house at the local creatures. The animal kingdom is filled with strife, discord, and violence. This is what has been designed for them. Humans share commonalities with the creatures, but are not designed to be animals. With intelligence, humans are expected to respect others and get along. In times of strife, one is expected to see the other person in a positive light, thus eliminating dissonance and conflict. This leads to a pleasant home, both inside and outside.
SUMMARY: Animals are in constant competition. Humans, on the hand are expected to resolve conflict and dissonance, creating harmony and peace.