Dear Family and Friends,

Our Sages want to remind us of 5 events that happened on the 17th of Tamuz (yesterday). event mentioned is the "shattering of the Tables of the Law" by Moshe after the Golden Calf, as wriiten in Shemot 32,19:: Now it came to pass when he drew closer to the camp and saw the calf and the dances, that Moses' anger was kindled, and he flung the tablets from his hands, shattering them at the foot of the mountain.

Tomorrow, we'll read about the spontaneous act of zelotry by Pinchas, Aharon's grandson. In Bamidbar 25:7, we read: Pinchas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest saw this, arose from the congregation, and took a spear in his hand' and killed Zimri and the Medianite.

Both Pinchas and Moses see something and react with shock. But our Sages relate differently to each "spontaneous" reaction.

While nobody criticizes Moshe for breaking the "Tables of teh Law" written by G!d, some ofour Sages and commentators have a more complex attitude towards Pinchas's zelotry.

Maybe this teaches us that there is a difference between the spontaneous expression of anger against objects and killing human beings, even if they are sinners.

Shabbat Shalom to all,