Every generation inherits its challenges.

It also inherits its leaders.

But Parshat Pinchas asks a deeper question:

What does responsible leadership look like?

The parsha begins with one of the Torah’s most challenging episodes. Pinchas acts decisively to halt a moral and national collapse. God rewards him with a Brit Shalom—a Covenant of Peace. Yet Jewish tradition notes something extraordinary: in the Torah scroll, the letter vav in the word shalom is written broken.

Perhaps this teaches us that even necessary violence leaves something broken. Peace achieved through conflict is never complete.

Israel understands this reality better than most nations.

Since October 7, Israelis have fought not because they desire war, but because they were forced to defend their citizens against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran’s wider campaign of destruction. Every military success carries a human cost. Every victory leaves families grieving. The goal has never been war. The goal has always been peace.

The broken shalom reminds us that genuine peace remains our aspiration.

Yet the parsha quickly changes direction.

Five courageous women—the daughters of Zelophehad—step forward to seek justice. Moses does not dismiss them. He listens. God responds, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak rightly.”

Then Moses, knowing he will never enter the Promised Land, asks God for one thing: appoint a leader so that Israel will not become “like sheep without a shepherd.”

He is not thinking about himself.

He is thinking about the future.

These are not disconnected stories.

Together they define responsible........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)