Pinchas – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“Then drew near the daughters of Tzlafchad, the son of Chefer, the son of Gilaad, the son of Machir, the son of Menashe, of the families of Menashe son of Yosef.” (27:1)

Rashi explains that the Torah emphasizes the lineage of the daughters of Tzlafchod from Yosef Ha’Tzaddik because, just as Yosef cherished Eretz Yisrael, so, too, did his daughters cherish the land. This was demonstrated by their desire to actually attain a portion of Eretz Yisrael. One would think the contrary! Would it not have been more admirable to state that their love for Eretz Yisrael emanated from their own personal inclination, rather than merely following in their ancestors footsteps? We may also question the need to concretize this affinity with Eretz Yisrael by actually owning a parcel of land. Would…

Home -> 5754 -> Pinchas

Sruly Schnair In Pinchas, 5754

“Let Hashem set… a man over the congregation… who shall go out before them and who shall lead them out and who shall bring them in; that the congregation of Hashem (be not) as sheep which have no shepherd for them.” (27:16,17)

The commentators derive a variety of lessons from these pesukim concerning the Torah‘s concept of the consummate leader. What is the analogy between the relationship of a shepherd with his flock and a Torah leader’s relationship with Klal Yisrael? As he lay on his deathbed, the Ksav Sofer answered this question in the following manner. A shepherd will invariably lead his flock to places that have the best grazing, lush grass, cool waters and the finest climate. The shepherd does this in order to serve his personal interests. The sheep are his property. Their health and welfare represents money in…

Home -> 5754 -> Pinchas

Sruly Schnair In Pinchas, 5754

“Let Hashem set.. a man over the congregation… and Hashem said to Moshe. Take to yourself Yehoshua ben Nun, a man in whom there is spirit.” (27:16,18)

The Kotzker Rebbe z.l. questions the selection of Yehoshua as successor to Moshe Rabbeinu. Pinchas, the zealot who endangered his life in order to uphold the sanctity of Klal Yisrael, seems to have been overlooked. The position of Kehunah Gedolah is conferred upon Pinchas, but not the role of Klal Yisrael’s leader. Why? The Kotzker Rebbe responds that a kanai, zealot, is not an appropriate choice for leader, since he can not relate equitably to all people. Indeed, the kanai distinguishes himself in his unique temperament. He endangers himself on behalf of Hashem, risking his life to uphold the sanctity…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“In that he was jealous for My sake.” (25:11)

Through his zealous action, Pinchas was in fact carrying out the halachah of uc ihgdup ihtbe ,hnrt kgucvw “One who is intimate with a gentile is to be struck down by zealous people.” This injunction refers to those who are so sensitive about the sanctity of Hashem’s Name that any incursion against it is intolerable. Why, then, is Pinchas lauded and praised? Indeed, he was doing only what was expected of him. Horav M. Gifter, Shlita, explains that this halachah is unique in that its fulfillment is to performed only by one who is a “kana’ie,” a zealot. He explains…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“(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….

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Pinchas ->

“Then drew near the daughters of Tzlafchad, the son of Chefer, the son of Gilaad, the son of Machir, the son of Menashe, of the families of Menashe son of Yosef.” (27:1)

“Let Hashem set… a man over the congregation… who shall go out before them and who shall lead them out and who shall bring them in; that the congregation of Hashem (be not) as sheep which have no shepherd for them.” (27:16,17)

“Let Hashem set.. a man over the congregation… and Hashem said to Moshe. Take to yourself Yehoshua ben Nun, a man in whom there is spirit.” (27:16,18)

“In that he was jealous for My sake.” (25:11)

“(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)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!