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By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum
קח את כל ראשי העם והוקע אותם לה’ נגד השמש וישב חרון אף ה’ (פרק כה פסוק ד)
After the Jews sinned with the Moabite women and the idol Peor, Hashem told Moshe that he should gather all the leaders to judge the sinners and have them hanged. The Gemara in Sanhedrin explains that really, they could have had one trial for all the people because it was regarding one sin but to abate Hashem’s anger (ישב חרון אף ה’) they had many trials with many judges. Rashi explains that through many people involving themselves in Hashem’s mitzva of judging and avenging His besmirched honor, Hashem’s wrath would subside. R’ Aharon Leib Shteinman deduces from here that there is a special סגולה when many Jews are involved in spreading the glory of Hashem. Even a job that could be done by a handful of people should preferably be done by many. This is a useful tool especially in times of trouble when there is a clear increase in Hashem’s anger. Through public involvement in mitzvos we can turn the tide.
