27 Jun Parshas Pinchas; Prophecy In The Moment pt 2/2-Pinchas (pt 1/2 Balak)
Inspired by the teachings of HaRav Yitzchak Ginsburgh and Rabbi Moshe Genuth
Prophecy is an ‘In The Moment’ experience.
A moment can be described as the smallest amount of time.
This article on Parshas Pinchas continues the idea of Prophecy as Part 2 of Parshas Balak Pt1. In that article I described ‘a moment’ as having a center point, and that the center point of anything is undefinable, it is infinite. This reveals a Torah and Physics principle that there are no absolutes in this world (other than ‘G-d is One’), as all of Creation stems from Infinity….G-d. Any and all moments (all are an expression of the spiritual realm is thus a single eternal moment) and hold the potential of connecting to infinity ergo The Infinite Being.
The model known as ‘The Kabbalah Tree of Life’ can be used to understand the mechanism(s) that allows us to tap into the power the divine infinite flow. The Tree will show the ‘right axis’ as CHOCHMA, Wisdom of the Mind (intellect), a ‘left axis’ as BINAH, Wisdom of the Heart (emotive), and a Middle axis also known as the Axis of Truth or the Pillar of Torah.
We need to nurture the potential of both Mind (right) and Heart (left) through the mechanisms contained within creation and the learning and living of the righteous ways of Torah, to bring about the unifying of opposites. When this is done in an appropriate manner, the result is the greatest connection to the Middle Axis, also known as the Pillar of Torah or The Axis of Truth. This middle axis culminates the harmony, symmetry and equilibrium of one’s Mind and Heart thus allowing for the greatest connection to Truth… G-d’s Truth… His Infinite Wisdom. The midlde axis is where the greatest experience of the Shechina and the flow of prophecy occur.
We may recall from last week’s parsha Balaam’s ‘special gift’ of prophecy was for destructive purposes, but this special prophetic ability was limited to only ‘a moment’ each day.
It was the prophetic ability of Pinchas ‘in the moment’ to know the right thing to do, along with his gift of zeal to act quickly and save the Jewish Nation during a plague of immorality, when others did not. Although there were great prophets amongst the Jewish Nation at the time, including Moshe the greatest of all, it was Pinchas’ unique connection that made it possible for him to have the tremendous clarity on Mind and action of Heart ‘in that moment’ to have put his life in danger to save the Nation. The proof of the clarity of his prophesy was that Pinchas was not rebuked for killing Kozbi and Zimri (he could have incurred the death penalty), but was rewarded with the only ‘additional’ appointment to be a Kohen.
In the moments of our lives are contained the potential to acquire a greater Truth as we approach the balance and harmony of the middle axis, coming closer to the flow of the infinite light, the shechina and allow us the experience of a greater connection to G-d’s Infinity. How we live, learn and apply the Righteous Way’s of Torah, the commandments and the philosophies of Judaism help determine our potential to receive a most rectified connection. For those dealing with issues of addiction or other malady, the practicing of the Righteous Ways of Torah helps in this journey to find the connection to symmetry; a centered-ness, and clarity.
Every person needs to find and use his unique ability to pursue truth and clarity. The more ‘symmetrical and balanced’ we are, the better our ability to have clarity to tap into the power of the Middle Axis; The Axis of G-ds Truth, The Pillar of Torah, the shechina, and experience a more pure and abundant connection to the Infinite Being. We must emulate the Clarity and Zeal of Pinchas.
Leib Getzel (Lawrence) Lax
Addictions and Counseling
http://www.LawrenceLax.com
lawrenceJlax@gmail.com