Pinchas – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“(Pinchas) has turned away My wrath from the Bnei Yisrael in that he was jealous for My sake among them (so) that I did not consume the Bnei Yisrael in My jealousy.” (25:11)

In its purest form, zealousness is contingent upon three criteria. The zealot must perform his act totally “le’shem shomayim,” for the sake of Heaven. There should be no personal prejudice or vested interest which “motivates” his urgent reaction. Second, it is imperative that the zealot not remove himself from the community. He must challenge any incursion from within. Running away and hurling stones at the sinners does not reflect true kana’us, zealousness. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., points out that a third contingency is regrettably often overlooked. Those individuals who exhibit unbounding devotion to Hashem’s ideals may react zealously and swiftly…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“And the name of the man of Yisrael who was slain . . . (was) Zimri ben Salu . . . And the name of the woman who was slain, the midyanis (was) Casbi bas Tzur . . . (25:14,15)

The Yalkut Reuveni cites the Ra’mah Mi’Panu, who states that the famous Tanna Rabbi Akiva was the gilgul nefesh (reincarnation) of Zimri. The wife of Turnus Rufus, on the other hand, who later became Rabbi Akiva’s wife, was in reality the gilgul of Casbi. Indeed, the illicit advances which Casbi made to Zimri were “corrected” through her future gilgul’s marriage to Rabbi Akiva. He explains that this is the reason that Rabbi Akiva died in such a torturous manner, by having his flesh raked off his body with metal combs. When Zimri came before Moshe with Casbi, he grabbed her…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“Reuven, the first-born of Yisrael, the sons of Reuven (of) Chanoch the family of the Chanochi.” (26:5)

Rashi explains the Torah‘s intent in emphasizing Bnei Yisrael’s genealogy. The gentile nations might think that they would be able to dominate the Jewish mothers, just as the Egyptians dominated the Jews’ lives. Hashem, therefore, placed His Name upon them in everlasting testimony to their pure lineage. This statement seems puzzling. Do the gentiles study Torah so that they can become versed in our genealogy? Even if they were to study Torah, would they believe, as we do, in the Torah‘s immutability? Horav Chaim Elazary, z.l., explains that the Torah was given to Klal Yisrael to study and believe. Hashem…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“And Hashem said to Moshe, take Yehoshua ben Nun, a man of spirit.” (27:18)

The relationship between Yehoshua, the disciple, and Moshe, the rebbe, serves as the paradigm of a rebbe-talmid relationship. Yehoshua’s constant attachment to his Rebbe, symbolized by the fact that he never allowed even one word of Torah to escape unheard, was a basic reason for his advancement to Am Yisrael’s leadership. His faithfulness and devotion were exemplary; his commitment and diligence were unprecedented. The Talmud in Bava Basra 75a relates that when Yehoshua succeeded Moshe, the elders of the generation remarked, “The face of Moshe was like the sun, while the face of Yehoshua was like the moon.” Most commentators…

Home -> 5752 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5752

“Pinchas, the son of the Elazar, the son of Aharon the Kohen… so I did not consume Bnei Yisrael in My jealousy.” (25:11)

The Midrash explains that Pinchas saw the atrocity and remembered the law which applies to it, “One who commits harlotry with a gentile woman is liable of death by zealous people.” Pinchas acted immediately, killing the two perpetrators of this decadent act. The Midrash enumerates twelve miracles that were performed for Pinchas on that fateful day. Horav Meir Robman Z”l cites this Midrash as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those dedicated individuals who stand up to shield true Torah ideals from secular incursion. Pinchas, who was previously unknown, acted alone. In fact, the Midrash records that members…

Home -> 5752 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5752

“Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon the Kohen, turned away My wrath from the Bnei Yisroel.” (25:11)

Rashi, at the end of the previous parsha, cites the Talmud in Sanhedrin 82b which states the following: He saw the deed and remembered the law. Pinchas asked Moshe, “I have received the law from you that one who commits harlotry with a gentile woman, zealous people have the right to strike him down.” Moshe’s response was “He who reads the letter He should be the carrier, i.e. let him who gives the advice be its executor.” Upon perceiving the tragic erosion of morality exhibited which the prince of the tribe of Shimon exhibited, Pinchas zealously responded to this travesty….

Home -> 5752 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5752

“Nevertheless by lot the land shall be distributed, according to the names of the tribes of their fathers shall they inherit.” (26:55)

The “ones who entered Eretz Yisrael” took actual possession of the land only by virtue of their membership in the current generation of the fathers who were originally named in the first counting as the “ones who left Egypt”. These Fathers were the ones to whom Eretz Yisrael was promised. Due to their rejection of it, however, they conceded actual possession of it to their children. Their children were only to exercise this right in the names of their fathers. The most vital possessions of parents are their faithful descendants. They are the witnesses to the merit of the…

Home -> 5751 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5751

“In that he avenged My revenge among them so that I did not consume the Bnei Yisroel in My jealousy.” (25:11)

Rashi explains, he displayed the anger which I should have displayed. The reason Pinchas desereved such a significant reward was that he performed an action which was considered reserved for Hashem. He could have easily chosen to excuse himself by stating that this was Hashem’s realm. This attitude of not looking for excuses should permeate our entire Torah observance. The Talmud states that the wicked Turnusrufus once asked Rabbi Akiva, why Hashem doesn’t support the poor. Rabbi Akiva responded that Hashem wants the merit of this mitzvah to benefit those who have taken the initiative to perform the mitzvah…

Home -> 5751 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5751

“Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace. And it shall be unto him and to his children after him.” (25:12-13)

Pinchas’ zealous act averted the destruction of Klal Yisroel and restored Hashem’s Honor and Glory. His achievement exemplifies the deep devotion one should have towards Hashem, and the powerful results which even one individual who acts for the sake of Heaven can effect. Zealousness, a very noble and lofty trait, can become ignominious and reprehensible when its motives and goals are not proper and dignified, Hashem Himself attests to Pinchas’ pure intentions and rewards him everlasting and eternal reward for his actions. Pinchas’ actions, despite the possibility of their being viewed by some as an act of violence and hostility,…

Home -> 5751 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5751

“And there drew near the daughters of Tzlafchad.” (27:1)

The Yalkut Shimoni states that when a righteous individual stands up amidst a generation of wicked people and boldly strides the tide of criticism which emanates from them, he ultimately claims their reward. This is indicated from Noach who fought against the generation of the flood, and Avrohom who stood against those who built the tower of Bavel, and Lot who withstood the pressures of Sodom. So too, the daughters of Tzlafchad had the right to demand a portion in Eretz Yisroel during a very crucial period in Klal Yisorel’s history. After the spies returned with their slanderous libel against…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Pinchas ->

“(Pinchas) has turned away My wrath from the Bnei Yisrael in that he was jealous for My sake among them (so) that I did not consume the Bnei Yisrael in My jealousy.” (25:11)

“And the name of the man of Yisrael who was slain . . . (was) Zimri ben Salu . . . And the name of the woman who was slain, the midyanis (was) Casbi bas Tzur . . . (25:14,15)

“Reuven, the first-born of Yisrael, the sons of Reuven (of) Chanoch the family of the Chanochi.” (26:5)

“And Hashem said to Moshe, take Yehoshua ben Nun, a man of spirit.” (27:18)

“Pinchas, the son of the Elazar, the son of Aharon the Kohen… so I did not consume Bnei Yisrael in My jealousy.” (25:11)

“Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon the Kohen, turned away My wrath from the Bnei Yisroel.” (25:11)

“Nevertheless by lot the land shall be distributed, according to the names of the tribes of their fathers shall they inherit.” (26:55)

“In that he avenged My revenge among them so that I did not consume the Bnei Yisroel in My jealousy.” (25:11)

“Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace. And it shall be unto him and to his children after him.” (25:12-13)

“And there drew near the daughters of Tzlafchad.” (27:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!