Pinchas naturally lived for hundreds of years because was he was at peace with himself
Pinchas was granted a “bris of shalom” for defending Hashem’s honor. The Sforno explains that due to this bris, Pinchas lived far beyond an ordinary life span. However, the Sforno continues, the reason for his longevity wasn’t supernatural, but a consequence of this bris. Since he was granted shalom, he was at peace with himself, and so didn’t suffer the normal internal conflict that causes damage to our bodies.
The Sforno explains that all deterioration, disease, and age-related infirmity happens to the body because of internal conflict. (Rabbi Bentzion Shafier, excerpted from TheShmuz on the Parsha)
“This is perfect!” Dassi stretched and dropped down on the sand next to me.
The beach was completely deserted and we lay there on the sand basking in tranquility. It was the first day since Purim that all our kids were finally back in school. Since Dassi and I work together, she was part of my “capsule” of acquaintances — the limited group of people we interacted with. Today we’d decided to take a mental health day and “work” outdoors.
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