Pinchas begins by completing the episode which began in Balak: Pinchas had ended the plague that was devastating the Israelites while they were seduced into idolatry by the Moabite and Midianite women. Pinchas’ reward for his zealotry was a “covenant of peace” (Num. 25:12) and “lasting priesthood” (Num. 25:13). The parsha then moves on to the second census in the…
…brought a Midianite woman, Cozbi, and sinned with her in full view of Moshe and the people. It was the most shameless act of rebellion against God. Pinchas took a spear and killed them both, and the plague immediately ended. Was Pinchas a hero or a murderer? On the one hand, he saved countless lives: no more people died from…
…ways. First, it rules that if Zimri had turned and killed Pinchas in self-defence, he would be declared innocent in a court of law.[5] Second, it rules that if Pinchas had killed Zimri and Cozbi just before or after they were engaged in cohabitation, he would have been guilty of murder.[6] Third, had Pinchas consulted a Bet Din and asked…
…around and killed Pinchas instead, he would be deemed innocent since he would have acted in self-defence. Had Pinchas killed Zimri even a moment after the act of immorality he would have been guilty of murder. And had Pinchas asked a court of law whether he was permitted to do what he was about to do, the answer would have…
Hidden beneath the surface of parshat Pinchas, the Sages uncovered a story of great poignancy. Moses, having seen his sister and brother die, knew that his own time on earth was coming to a close. He prayed to God to appoint a successor: Let the Lord, God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over this community who…
The book of Bamidbar comes to a close that is very strange indeed. Earlier in the parsha of Pinchas we read of how the five daughters of Tzelophehad came to Moses with a claim based on justice and human rights.[1] Their father had died without sons. Inheritance – in this case, of a share in the land – passes through…
…standing outside his succah, refusing to enter. “Why will you not enter?” asked the Rabbi. Avraham replied, “I will not enter a place where there are no other guests.” Rabbi Pinchas, realising his mistake, once again opened his home to the whole community. Points to Ponder What lesson did Rabbi Pinchas learn in this story? Why do you think it…
The Parsha in a Nutshell This summary is adapted from this week’s main Covenant & Conversation essay by Rabbi Sacks, available to read in full via the left sidebar (or below, if you are viewing this on your phone) The book of Bamidbar comes to a close that is very strange indeed. Earlier, in Pinchas,we read of how the five…
…long apprenticeship to the great man himself. [1] That is the implication of the statement that “Moses long to die as did Aaron,” Sifrei, Pinchas, 136, s.v. vayomer. [2] Rashi to Num. 27:16, based on Tanchuma, Pinchas, 11. [3] Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed, Book 2, Chapter 40. [4] From the liturgy on Saturday night. The source is Pesikta Zutreta, Eikev. [5]…
…have uncircumcised lips.” But by the end he is the most eloquent and visionary of all the prophets. Moses changed. One of the most fascinating contrasts is between two people who were often thought to resemble one another, indeed were sometimes identified as the same person in two incarnations: Pinchas and Elijah. Both were zealots. But Pinchas changed. God gave…