YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
Pinchas arose and took action against the couple that was desecrating Hashem’s Name, as the nation stood by crying (bochim), and for this he was rewarded with a special brit (covenant) of peace (Bamidbar 25:6-7, 12). We find a parallel section in Tanach. A malach (which can mean, angel or messenger) of Hashem came to the people at Bochim and reminded them that Hashem took them out of Egypt and warned them not to break their brit with Him. The place was called Bochim because of the crying (Shoftim 2:1-5). Chazal connect between the two episodes recorded in different books in Tanach and say that the malach in Sefer Shoftim is actually Pinchas (Vayikra Rabba 1).
Not only is Pinchas called a malach, but at the end of Nevi’im, the prophet, Malachi, says in Hashem’s name that He will send a malach to prepare the way for the revelation of Hashem in the Days to Come and refers to "the malach of the brit, whom we desire" (3:1). Finally, the navi says that he is sending the prophet, Eliyahu, before that great and awesome day (3:23).
One of the most powerful mandates in the Torah is to serve Hashem with happiness. We see this from the saying in regard to the curses, which come "because you did not serve Hashem with happiness and a good heart, from a plenty of everything" (Devarim 28:47). Yet, there is one very important mitzva, which is always accompanied with crying. We are referring to the brit mila, where the baby cries, as he did when he was born. This is a happy type of crying for us despite the pain.
The zealous prophet, Eliyahu, complained to Hashem that Bnei Yisrael forsook the brit (Melachim I, 19). The midrash says that, in response, he was commanded to visit every brit mila, where we are to prepare a special chair for him, so that he can see that we have not forsaken the covenant. He is sent both to console the crying baby and to rectify the complaint that he made about the nation.
It is thus easy to see the connection between Pinchas and Eliyahu. Pinchas was the malach who was zealous when he had reason to fear that there was a danger to the brit, both in Bamidbar and in Shoftim. There he met up with those who were crying. Eliyahu, the malach habrit, was sent to the crying baby at every brit mila.
Let us pray that we will merit keeping the many mitzvot with happiness and a good heart and continue to prove that the covenant has not been forsaken.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
