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Sermon for Sidra Pinchas
July 2008
by Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman

Pinchas, in this week’s Sidra, in his display of zealousness, restores the sanctity in the people in the aftermath of the wickedness that was spread by Bilam. But sometimes even the “evil” notice “good”. As Bilam said in last week’s Sidra in his prophetic moment: “Hen am levadad Yishkon” - “Behold they are a people that dwells alone”. This is often taken negatively that the nations of the world ignore and despise the Jews. But it is also taken to mean that we as Jews stand apart from the nations – as a moral light to others.

And so we saw this week two nations but two peoples apart – that of the Hezbollah in Lebanon and that of Israel, where they exchanged their prisoners. Hezbollah received back a murdering terrorist, Kuntar, with another 4 terrorists and 200 dead “fighters” of Lebanese and Palestinian origin. Their main thrust was to celebrate victory, ignoring the mourning of the families of the 200 dead. On the other hand, Israel who received back the remains of the two members of the IDF, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev who had been captured just over two years ago, declared a national day of mourning.

Many have had their reservations about Israel’s actions in this “prisoner” swap, myself included, but when I read a quote from Kuntar’s speech that appeared in the Jerusalem Post, my mind was changed.

This is what Kuntar is quoted as saying: “I’m jealous of the Zionists, who didn’t spare any effort in bringing back captured soldiers or soldiers' bodies.” He went on to say and I quote: “Seriously, we are jealous of our enemy and its care for a (body) and how it goes to the end of the world in order to return it, and of its concerns for captives and how it will go to the very edge to bring them back.”

When such a rosho (wicked one) sees the good of Israel, like the rosho Bilam did, that is indeed a Kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of G-d’s name. It shows the world the moral fibre of the Jewish people, that we are truly “Am Levadad Yishkon” - a people apart, distinguished for their moral fibre.

I recall Ehud Goldwasser’s wife’s tearful appeal at the US Tribe dinner in November 2006; she pleaded for everyone to work for their release and now alas, our thoughts are with her and their families in their mourning – together with all Israel.

May G-d console His people and strengthen us to always be a light unto the nations. May the Redeemer come to Zion and redeem all her captives, speedily in our day, with the coming of the Moshiach.