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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
Parshat Pinchas is a crossroad in Jewish history. Moshe has already been told that he will not make the transition into Eretz Yisrael & so – as a true leader who loves his people – he is determined to identify a capable successor who will carry on his holy task. But who will this be?
Korach thought he would be the choice but he, well, "fell out of favor." So who is left? Moshe naturally would like his own son to take over – after all, Moshe is also a king, & kings create dynasties – but Hashem vetoes that. Next on the list is Pinchas. He has good credentials: he is descended from Levi, Moshe’s own shevet; he is Kohen Gadol; he is fiercely loyal to G-d, who gives him a strong vote of confidence and proclaims: "Behold I give him Briti Shalom – My covenant of Peace."
But Moshe is troubled by Pinchas’ anger, righteous as it may be. Moshe himself has forfeited his position in part because, after 40 years of dealing with a very, very challenging people, his temper has been brought to the boiling point. And so, in a not-so-subtle hint, when asking Hashem for a successor, he refers to G-d as "Elohei Ha-Ruchot, the G-d of Spirits, or Moods." Rashi explains that this unusual name refers to one who will "accept the different temperments & personalities of the people, one who will patiently tolerate varying opinions within the community."
And he adds: "One who will ‘go out & come in’ before them." That is, one who will go out to battle leading the troops – thus putting his own life at risk, indicating his quality of m’sirat nefesh, self-sacrifice – as well as one who will prepare the way for the nation to enter into the land & prosper, indicating his sense of vision & foresight.
In carefully couched language, Moshe is saying to Hashem that as bold & forthright as Pinchas’ act was – indeed, he saved the people from a much deadlier plague – at the end of the day, that propensity for raging jealousy & zealotry is a double-edged sword that may very well end up doing as much harm as good to the nation.
And so the final candidate, Yehoshua, who demonstrated his quality of tolerance by waiting patiently & faithfully for almost half a century in loyal service to Moshe, is chosen to be at the helm. And that is essentially why Pinchas needs to be featured in this sedra as well, the sedra where the selection of a new leadership will occur.
What does all this mean to us? Well, it just so happens that we in Israel will also soon be voting for new leaders. Hmm….
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
