04 Jul SHALOM EQUALS LONGEVITY

One of the great Biblical
acts of valor was the
zealous execution of
the Nasi Zimri and
the Midianite Princess
Kozbi by the courageous
tzaddik, Pinchas.
Although the Torah
rarely discusses rewards,
Hashem informs us that
Pinchas was granted a
great gift for his courage and defense of the
Jewish people. As the posuk testifies, “Lachein
emor hineni nosein lo es brisi shalom –
Therefore, I (Hashem) have gifted him with
my covenant of peace.”
Over 500 years ago, the Sforno gave a very
contemporary and fundamental explanation of
the nature of this covenant. He defines peace
as protection from the Malach HaMaves,
the Angel of Death. He then proceeds to
historically prove that Pinchas enjoyed
unusual longevity. He places Pinchas as a
Kohein ministering in the Mishkon Shiloh,
proving that he outlived Yehoshua and all of
the elders of his time. He then goes further
to explain that Pinchas was still alive at
the time of Yiftach, for as Chazal teach us,
Pinchas did not go to annul the foolish vow
that Yiftach made concerning his daughter.
Thus, we see that Pinchas merited living for
hundreds of years. The Sforno concludes

that this was a natural outcome of the Divine
blessing of peace for it is the lack of internal
peace that causes much of the deterioration
and breakdown of the human body. Thus,
we see clearly spelled out more than half a
millennium ago, the correlation between the
stress levels and the health and wellbeing of
an individual.
Rav Avidgor Miller, Zt”l, Zy”a, always said
that one of the primary petitions to have in
mind during Sim Shalom and Shalom Rav
in our Shemone Esrei is to ask Hashem for
the blessing of peace of mind, and it is that
serenity that leads not just to quality of life
but also to good health and longevity. We find
this equation also in the daily Kaddish. There
we say, “Yehei shlama raba min Shmaya,
v’chayim alienu – May we be granted great
peace from Heaven and life upon us.” for
when a person is tranquil, then there is the gift
of life.
With this is mind, we must look at certain
matters of life from a different perspective.
For example, most Americans are euphoric
about gaining more assets and acquiring loads
of money. However, in reality, the Mishnah
in Pirkei Avos teaches us, “Marbeh nechosin,
marbeh dagah – The more acquisition there is
more worry.” I know wealthy people who use
their extra cash to invest in properties. Those
assets give them headaches and anxiety day,
night, and even on weekends so that their great

wealth in reality might lead to their physical
deterioration and sometimes even to an
earlier demise. Jealousy is another source of
great stress. When a person is always looking
around at what others have and is thus unable
to enjoy his own gifts, the inner turmoil that
this creates is a grave danger to one’s health and
wellbeing. Other sources that are very popular
in today’s modern world are loneliness, which
can even plague married people who are in
loveless unions, and boredom, which some
might simply mistake as a lack of luxury. It is
in reality a grave ill that causes many retirees
to go to an early grave and is the source of
much melancholy and unhappiness in today‘s
society.
The pursuit of serenity is worth all of our
attention. Relationships with acquaintances
that cause us stress should be if at all possible
discarded and, at the very least, minimized.
One should seek out pastimes that relieve the
inner stress such as exercise, reading and the
advice of chazal, “Daga b’leiv ish yasichena
l’acheirim – Worry in a person’s heart; share
it with another.” And, of course, the greatest
remedy known to mankind to relieve stress is
the study of Torah. As it says, “Toras Hashem
temimin meshivas nofesh – The Torah of
Hashem is perfect, it rejuvenates the soul,”
and, “Pikudei Hashem yeshorim, misamchi
lev – The statutes of Hashem are upright,
causing the heart to rejoice.”

It goes without saying that those who are
dating for a prospective mate should bear in
mind that life’s greatest stress comes from
a combative or unhappy spouse and this
should be one of the most important areas
they investigate before making this lifetime
decision. Another source of great stress is
when a person is unhappy in his or her job. It is
for this reason that the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos
advises us, “Ehov es hamelacha – Love your
work,” for, if not, the majority of one’s hours
will be spent in unhappiness and anxiety.
In the merit of our Torah study, may Hashem
grant us the coveted acquisition of peace of
mind and in that merit may Hashem bless us
with long life, good health, and everything
wonderful.