Terrorizing the Terrorists

Last week we learned in the Torah portion Balak, about how the Midianites seduced the Jewish men and caused them to sin with the women of Moab and worship their idol Peor.

In the end, the Princess of the Midianites, Cozbi, had relations with Zimri, head of the Tribe of Shimon in front of the entire Nation of Israel.

Pinchas, in an act of zealotry, killed Cozbi and Zimri and put an end to the atrocities. For this act God awarded him with the “Covenant of Peace!” (Numbers 25:12)

In this week’s Torah portion Pinchas (Numbers 25:10 – 30:1),  the Almighty tells Moshe

צָר֖וֹר אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִ֑ים וְהִכִּיתֶ֖ם אוֹתָֽם׃

כִּ֣י צֹרְרִ֥ים הֵם֙ לָכֶ֔ם בְּנִכְלֵיהֶ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־נִכְּל֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם עַל־דְּבַר־פְּע֑וֹר וְעַל־דְּבַ֞ר כׇּזְבִּ֨י בַת־נְשִׂ֤יא מִדְיָן֙ אֲחֹתָ֔ם הַמֻּכָּ֥ה בְיוֹם־הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה עַל־דְּבַר־פְּעֽוֹר׃

“Terrorize the Midianites and strike them—

for they terrorize(d) you by the trickery they practiced against you—because of the affair of Peor and because of the affair of their kinswoman Cozbi, daughter of the Midianite chieftain, who was killed at the time of the plague on account of Peor.”  (Numbers 25:17-18)

 

I used the word “terrorize” to translate “Tzorer” because there is no good English translation. Haman was called a Tzorer of the Jews. (Esther 8:1) He wanted to terrorize us and kill us all.

A matzor is a terrorizing siege on a city which is done to starve the captives, resulting in capitulation.

The Midrash Tanchuma (Pinchas) explains why the same word is used to describe what the Midianites did (do) to us, and how we should respond.

“Terrorize the Midianites…” Why? “Because they are terrorizing you.”  From here the Sages have said, “If someone comes (is plotting) to kill you, act first to kill him” (Berachot 62b, Sanhedrin 72a)

The Midrash continues to explain… “do not attempt to make peace with them” (because they are constantly plotting to make you sin and destroy you – as Balak and Cozbi did.)

CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR PEACE – Terrorizing the Terrorists

While American and Canadians were celebrating their independence to dwell freely in their Lands, we were still fighting for our independence in our Land.

On July 3, the IDF conducted a major raid in Jenin which has become the main base for terror operations of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. These Islamic organizations are funded by Iran and are mortal enemies of the secular PLO who controls the Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria.

About 2,000 IDF soldiers participated in the raid and at least 18 terrorist gunmen were killed and at least 100 wounded, and large numbers of terror command centers and weapons and explosive storage areas were destroyed.

Many wanted terrorists were arrested and/or injured in the gun battles.

The terrorists cynically used mosques and hospitals to wage battle and store weapons in attempt to give themselves an advantage over Israel who respects Hospitals and places of Worship during times of war.

After 44 hours of fighting the IDF began withdrawing troops after achieving almost all of its objectives. Sadly Sgt David Yehuda Yitzhak, 23, from Beit El was shot and killed while protecting a narrow alleyway during the withdrawal. May his memory be a blessing to his family and friends.

REMEMBER THE LESSONS OF THE TORAH

This is just another battle in our continuous 100 year war with Arab/Moslem terrorists. They never give up plotting our destruction.

May the Almighty grant wisdom and courage to our leaders to heed the words of our Torah and Sages and remember that there is no compromise or peace to be made with those who continuously plot to destroy us.

With blessings for peace.