This week's portion is about courage and action. Pinchas- (Phinneas) saw an injustice and acted immediately. I was very uncomfortable with his action of spearing a descendant of Aaron along with a Midianite women within the Temple walls. But he acted within the laws of his time. Our society has changed, and the laws have changed. Every time you put on your mask and go out into public, I hope you recognize how brave you are! Perhaps a small part of ourselves wants to be defiant and listen to the non-mask wearers, but I respect you, myself and this virus all too much to ignore what current science strongly suggests.

This parsha, Pinchas, concludes with discussion of inheritance passed on to women, albeit when there are no men to inherit. I do believe this virus will pass, and that there will be a better world for us to return to. Already I feel the cleaner air, and higher quality conversations with my diversity of acquaintances. Because of this virus, there are many openings for new conversations that I might not previously been brave enough to engage.

I encourage you to be brave, and to be respectful and to invite new points of view, new questions, and new focus.

Rabbi Chavah