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
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.