The Midianites caused the Jews in the desert to sin and act immorally. Hashem commanded Moshe to punish the Midianites for their terrible behavior. Hashem commands Moshe “Nakom Nikmas Bnei Yisrael” – to avenge the glory of the Jewish nation against Midyan (31:2). Yet when Moshe conveys the charge to the Bnei Yisrael he says “Nikmas Hashem” – to avenge for Hashem’s honor. Why the change in phraseology? I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita, that perhaps this is a similar idea as we find in the Gemara in Menachos. The Gemara teaches that Hashem wears Tefillin. On Hashem’s Tefillin, it is written, “Mi Kiamcho Yisrael” – “Who is like you O Jewish people!” This is because Hashem shows his unbounded love and devotion toward us. On our Tefillin it states “Shema Yisrael” – proclaiming our faith in Hashem – because here we demonstrate our unbridled admiration and love for Hashem.
So too, here, by our Parsha, Hashem wants to avenge our honor, so Hashem says “Nikmas Bnei Yisrael – take revenge for the glory of the Jewish nation.” On the other hand, we wish to avenge Hashem’s glory, so Moshe says, “Nikmas Hashem – take revenge for Hashem’s honor”. We look out for Hashem and, of course, Hashem looks out for us. We must work on thanking Hashem for everything he does for us. After all, Hashem is the creator and sustainer of our lives!
When Rav Baruch of Mezhibuzh, a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, was a little boy, he, and another grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, later to become the famous Degel Machaneh Ephraim, were playing hide-and-seek under their grandfather’s table. Suddenly Baruchel started shedding bitter tears. The Baal Shem Tov bent down and asked, “Baruchel, why are you crying? Baruchel answered, “I’m crying because I am hiding, but no one has found me.” The Baal Shem Tov said, “That’s wonderful; it means you won the game!” Baruchel cried, “No, no, no. The reason why they haven’t found me is because they haven’t even looked for me. That’s why I’m crying.”
The Baal Shem Tov later said, “This is exactly how Hashem must feel. Hashem is hiding, waiting for us to find Him, yet we’ve all given up looking.” In Tehillim (105:4) the pasuk says, “Dirshu Hashem v’uzo, bakshufanav tamid – Seek out Hashem and His strength, seek His presence always.’ Forget about all the trivial matters. Forget about all the insincere things. Forget about all the vanities, the frivolities, and the exteriors. Think about what’s real in life; seek Him out! Hashem is waiting to be found!
Listen to this story on the Jewish n’ Joyful podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/parshak/episodes/Hide-and-Seek—The-Real-Truth-in-Life-e252tcv/a-a9uesgk
