YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
And now, when Moshe has been told he may not enter Eretz Yisrael, and so the people will have to be guided by a new shepherd, Moshe struggles to convince Hashem who his appropriate successor should be. There are a few candidates: First, Moshe hoped that one of his sons would take over for him, as generally happens in a dynasty or kingship (and Moshe indeed had the status of a king!). But - perhaps precisely to indicate that true leadership is a meritocracy, rather than an aristocracy - G-d rejects this proposal.
All right, then perhaps the next leader might be Pinchas. After all, Pinchas has shown bold initiative, in his disposal of Zimri in last week's Sedra, & received G-d's accolade for it. Pinchas was a VIP, a Kohen Gadol from whom all future Kohanei Gadol will descend. But Moshe is wary: he uncharacteristically initiates contact with the Almighty ("Vay'daber Moshe el Hashem!") & addresses Him as "Elokei ha-Ruchot," the "G-d of spirits." Rashi explains this to mean that people differ from one another in temperament, ideas and personality. A leader must be tolerant of all types, since each one of us is a "Tzelem Elokim," a part of G-d's image. This was a veiled hint that Pinchas, for all his merit, might have a problem with relating to the different elements of society & so not be the perfect leader.
In fact, this is hinted to by the second and third p'sukim in our Sedra, respectively, where the name "Pinchas" is spelled with a tiny "Yud," and the word "Shalom" is spelled with a small "Vav." These 2 letters spell out a name of G-d, thus implying that, as noble as Pinchas's act was, the violence he displayed diminished Hashem's name and image.
In the end, of course, it is Yehoshua who is chosen. As Moshe's faithful protege - in effect, a son - Yehoshua had learned from the master how to deal with a population as diverse & demanding as the people of Israel. Yehoshua is described as the moon, & Moshe as the sun, to indicate that Yehoshua "reflected" the best values of his mentor, even as the moon reflects the light of the sun. Yehoshua would go on to become a great leader in his own right; he would conquer the 7 nations of Canaan, as surely as he conquered the urge to be intolerant.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
