What You See Is Not What You Get – Short Term Pain Vs. Long Term Gain

A cow once stumbled upon a wounded bird lying on the ground in pain and discomfort. Doing what cows do best, the bird was left covered in a heap of animal refuse. Suddenly she felt warm and cozy. So happy was the bird with her newfound comfort, she began to sing.

Spurred by the sweet twittering, a farmer working in a nearby field followed the sound, only to discover the little creature lying submerged in manure.

The farmer immediately removed the animal from her wretched surroundings. Painstakingly he cleaned her and carefully placed her down. However, to his great disappointment the little bird would no longer sing. She was, in fact, noticeably withdrawn.

Realizing that he had upset her by removing her from her comfortable and cozy surroundings, the kind farmer looked at the bird and said: Little bird, little bird, let me teach you some very important lessons in life:

First of all: Not everyone that makes you feel comfortable is necessarily your friend.
Secondly: Not everyone that makes you feel uncomfortable is necessarily your enemy.
Finally dear birdie: When you are wallowing in manure, try not to sing.

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Do not look at the vessel, but rather at what it contains; there may be a new vessel filled with aged wine, or an old vessel in which there is not even new wine. (Pirkei Avot 4:20)

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The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Pinchas

The Rebbe says:

1. This week’s Torah portion tells us the famous story regarding Pinchas (Phinehas) and how he killed Zimri the prince of the tribe of Shimon (Simeon), thereby pleasing Hashem greatly Who declared that Pinchas deserves a reward for, “zealously avenging My vengeance”.

2. Our Sages tell us regarding the Oral Law (Torah Shebal Peh) that “it is impossible for scholars of the Study Hall to conduct a session without expounding a novel teaching”. If this is the case regarding the Oral Law, surely regarding the Written Law (Torah Shebichsav), from which our Sages learn numerous laws from even one letter, there must be a novelty in the story of Pinchas.

(3. Here is a summary of the story about Pinchas which is told at the end of last week’s Torah portion (Parshas Balak):