YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
It began in last week’s Sedra, when twin terrorists Balak & Bilaam conspired to send Midianite prostitutes among Bnei Yisrael. After failing at their other evil plans, they reasoned – correctly - that if they could somehow get the Jews to compromise our sexual morality, we would be vulnerable to the anger Bilaam knew that G-d possesses.
This is the same Bilaam who ironically gave to us the famous compliment, "Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov," how good are the tents of Am Yisrael, praising our admirable quality of tzniut, modesty, exemplified by the fact that our tent openings did not face those of our neighbors, so that no one could see into the next person’s private domain.
The Midianite women not only seduce the Jewish men, they lead them to engage in one of the sickest forms of idolatry, an eschatological, excrement-linked ritual that truly inflames Hashem. To make matters worse, even after many of the guilty men had been executed for their sin, one of Israel’s tribal leaders - later revealed as Zimri of Shevet Shimon - chooses to consort with a Midianite in the full presence of Moshe & the nation’s leaders.
It may be that because Moshe was himself married to a Midianite women – albeit not a depraved one – he is slow to act in the face of this abomination. In fact, he cries, the only time we know of, perhaps because his leadership has now been truly challenged & publicly repudiated.
Enter Pinchas. He doesn’t wait for any court to convene, or trial to be held. He acts. He picks up a spear, which the Torah calls a "romach," a very unusual word that is rarely used in Tanach. Yet we’re quite familiar with this word; its numerical value is 248 – the number of organs Chazal ascribe to the body - & is part of the misheberach we say for the sick. I suggest the Torah is hinting, via this word, "you sinned with your body; now your body, & that of your paramour Cozbi, will be violated." So ends this luscivious episode of the Cozbi Show (the Torah is prophetic, is it not?!)
This story is spread over two separate parshiyot, rather than dealt with all at once in a single sedra, in order to give us pause, I suggest. It seems that Pinchas’ act – though it saves the nation from destruction & is labeled a "Brit Shalom, a Covenant of Peace" - comes at a high price. The Yud in Pinchas’ name & the Vav in the word "Shalom" – the first 2 letters of Hashem’s name – are made small in the written Torah parchment. The implication is that while vigilantism & righteous zealotry may be necessary in times of acute crisis, G-d "shrinks" when we solve our problems with animosity, rather than amicably.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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.