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Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Pinchas, 5759

The name of the slain Yisrael man who was slain with the Midyanites was Zimri ben Salu, leader of a father’s house of the Shimoni. (25:14)

Interestingly, in the previous parsha, when the Torah narrates the actual episode and Zimri’s flagrant act of licentiousness, it does not mention the identity of the perpetrators. Only now — after Pinchas acted and Zimri has been executed — is the  identity of Zimri publicized.  Why is this?  Why is it that after Zimri has been slain, and Pinchas has received his reward,  the Torah reveals  who Pinchas killed?  Rashi seems to address this question by saying  that when the Torah records the name of the tzaddik, Pinchas, for praise, it also mentions the name of the evil perpetrator —…

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Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Pinchas, 5759

Therefore say, “behold, I give him My covenant — the peace. (25:12)

The Targum Yonasan says that Hashem granted Pinchas  transcendence over death.  He was transformed into Eliyahu Ha’navi,  who will be the harbinger of the Final Redemption.  Indeed, the Zohar Hakadosh writes that  the Angel of Death has no dominion over he who is for the Name of Hashem,  as he does over the average human being.  Obviously, this statement has a deeper meaning than meets the eye.  Why was Pinchas selected for this unique position?  Horav Eliyahu Schlesinger, Shlita, cites a pasuk in this parsha (27:16) in which  Moshe asks Hashem to appoint his successor, “May Hashem, G-d of spirits…

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Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Pinchas, 5759

Therefore, say “behold, I give him My covenant — the peace.” (25:12)

Pinchas received his reward from Hashem – the covenant of peace.  He represents peace.  Chazal tell us that Pinchas is Eliyahu Ha’navi, the harbinger of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.  Pinchas’ bold action on behalf of Hashem earned him the privilege of becoming the bearer of the Divinely inspired peace on earth.  We are taught that the “vav” in the word shalom is broken in half, so that it must be written in two parts.  Horav Shlomo Breuer, zl, interprets this as a characterization of the lofty task of every Jewish leader,  whose goal in life is to bring about the peace for…

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Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Pinchas, 5759

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Pinchas acted on behalf of the Almighty.  He reacted with jealousy and with vengeance, as he witnessed Zimri   publicly desecrating Hashem’s Name.   Rashi emphasizes the word,  “kinaasi,” “My jealousy/wrath”.  Pinchas reacted in the same manner that Hashem would have.  He became angry as Hashem would.  Hashem’s anger was his anger; he accepted Hashem’s “hurt” as his own hurt.  Horav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Shlita, delves into the concept of “kinaasi” in an attempt to explain its significance.  We find that Rashi previously had mentioned  that the tribes, especially Shevet Shimon,  were criticizing and demeaning Pinchas  for his descent from a Midyanite…

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