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Parshat Pinchas: Light from Darkness
Parshat Pinchas is read at the beginning of the period of Bein HaMetzarim (the "Days of Distress"). These days are days of mourning for the destruction of The Holy Temple that led to the long and terrible exile. However, ultimately, the suffering of exile is the bridge to the ultimate good in the true and complete Redemption.
The question then arises: Why did G-d do it this way, that the great revelation of good should grow specifically from a stage of descent and concealment in these three weeks? Couldn't the Holy One, Blessed be He, have granted the good directly, without a preceding phase of obscurity?
The explanation is that the perfection of good and light is when they emerge from evil and darkness. It is specifically when darkness turns into light and evil transforms into good – this is the greatest perfection that can…
Thank you rabbi Bernstein! I do have a question. Why didn’t Balaam repent? He obviously knew HaShem and received prophecy. One would think Balaam would just go home at that point. Especially after the donkey episode. Why would he keep going?