Parshas Pinchas 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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After Balaam’s unsuccessful attempts at cursing the Jewish people, he advised the Midianites to seduce the people to behave immorally. The Jewish G-d was known to hate immorality. When the Jews behave immorally, they fall into G-d’s disgrace and could be defeated.

The Midianites took Balaam’s advice, and sent their daughters to entice the Jewish men to sin. One Midianite princess named Kozbi seduced a prince from the tribe of Shimon, Zimri ben Salu. He defied Moshe’s warnings and flagrantly sinned with her. This created a terrible desecration of G-d’s name, and G-d’s anger was kindled towards the nation. Many people died in a plague.

When Pinchos, a grandson of Aharon the High Priest saw what happened, he recalled a law he had heard from Moshe, that in specific instances, capital punishment could be meted out, even without a trial in court. Pinchos killed both Kozbi and Zimri. This action appeased G-d’s anger. As a result of this zealousness, G-d rewarded Pinchos with His eternal covenant of peace.

The Torah takes pains to point out Pinchos was a descendent, in both body and spirit, of his grandfather Aharon, the great lover and pursuer of peace. Pinchos did not behave rashly, and his intentions were not vindictive at all. His motivation was purely one of love and concern for the Jewish people, to pacify G-d’s anger towards them.

Later in the portion, Moshe appointed his disciple Joshua as his successor. It is interesting to note that although Pinchos was praised and rewarded for his actions, he was not chosen to succeed Moshe. Although zealousness is important and has its place in Judaism, the Jewish leader must have a more compassionate nature in his relationship with the people. He must be able to deal with each individual according to his specific needs.

Moshe took another census of the people before he took final leave of them. He explained how the land would be divided among the people, a portion for each son.

The daughters of Zelafchad complained to Moshe that their father had not left over any sons, and they, too, wanted a piece of land. The Talmud explains that the daughters of Zelafchad were motivated out of a love for the Promised Land, and not because they felt it was an injustice. That is why that although Zelafchad died over thirty-five years earlier, the daughters did not stake their claim until now, prior to entering the Promised Land. This was also an example of zealousness that was motivated out of sincerity G-d instructed Moshe that when a father left over no sons, the daughters would receive his inheritance.

“Therefore say, behold, I am giving him my covenant of peace ” (Num. 25:12)

Although Pinchas acted zealously, G-d blessed him that his zealousness not affect his general behavior, and that he remain a peaceful person. Different situations require different responses, and a person should act accordingly.

The Chazon Ish was generally a very mild mannered person. Once he was speaking to a community activist when he began to speak sharply to the man, even banging the table. As soon as the person left, the Chazon Ish’s pleasant demeanor returned. He explained, “I was not upset at all, but what could I do? That person does not listen if he is spoken to any other way.”

Did You Know...

An additional prayer, the Musaf, is recited on Rosh Chodesh and holidays, commemorating the additional sacrifice offered then. Musaf is recited after the Torah reading.

On Rosh Chodesh it is customary to remove one’s tefillin before beginning the Musaf Amidah, since the Musaf is a holiday prayer, and tefillin are not worn on holidays. If one forgot to remove his tefillin, he may continue praying and remove them afterwards.

In Israel, the priestly blessings are recited by the kohanim during every Shacharis and Musaf prayers. Outside of Israel, however, they are recited only during the holiday Musaf prayers.