Parshat Pinchas begins with Hashem rewarding Pinchas for his
act of bravery. Pinchas is given a Brit Shalom, a covenant of peace. Many
meforshim note the conveyance of a covenant of peace being awarded to man who
engaged in such a violent act. The lesson being that we sometimes have to
overcome our natural inclinations in order to accomplish the task at hand, and
then focus back on our values.
In the Torah scroll, the letter vav of the word “Shalom”
is cracked. Rav Zevin explained that the cracked vav allows us to think about
the similarities and differences between the words “Shalom”, peace, and Shalem,
whole. Both indicate a fulfilled state of being. However Shalem refers to an
individual whereas Shalom refers to the relationship between two or more
objects or people.
The broken Vav highlights the difficulties that can exist in
trying to get along with others and achieve Shalom. It is often easier to achieve
Shalemiut for oneself. But true personal fulfillment must include peace between
ourselves and those around us: family, friends, and neighbors. There can be no
real Sheleimut without Shalom. And the broken Vav in Shalom reminds us just how
elusive, yet essential, peace can be.
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