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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…

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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…

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Home -> 5754 -> Pinchas

Sruly Schnair
In Pinchas, 5754

“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…

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Home -> 5754 -> Pinchas

Sruly Schnair
In Pinchas, 5754

“When he zealously avenged My vengeance (jealousy) among them.” (25:11)

Pinchas is lauded for endangering himself, demonstrating exemplary love for Hashem by working towards cleansing Klal Yisrael of those who had been defying Hashem. The Torah emphasizes that Pinchas remained “among them,” not isolating himself from the general community. Rather, he executed his act of purification as a member of the community.  Pinchas’s devotion to Hashem provides us with the Torah‘s paradigm for kana’us, zealousness.  Applying homiletic exegesis, Chazal develop the essential characteristics required for such singular acts of devotion. The kanai acts out of love for Hashem, His Torah and His Nation. At no time does he hate the…

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