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Continuity – That’s the concept that is embodied in multiple levels in the Torah reading of Pinchas. The experience of Israel in the desert is coming to a close, but the desecration of Zimri and Cozbi threatens everything, Pinchas’ swift and certain response guarantees the continuity the sanctity of Israel. The daughters of Tzelaphchad and the designation of Yehoshua to succeed Moshe as leader of Israel naturally follow Pinchas’ heroic act. The parasha concludes with a description of the Tamid offering, the sanctification of continuity itself, in the service of the Holy Temple.
Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)
Parashat Pinchas is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 24, 5772/July 14, 2012
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It’s the same old story, as old as Scripture. Only the names have been changed: Do whatever needs to be done, and say whatever needs to be said, in order to attain this single goal: Keep the Jews out of the land of Israel, where, G-d forbid, they made do some good in the world! What was true for Bilaam and Balak of yore is true for all the strange bedfellows of today, who join forces in an ever increasingly desperate attempt to stop Israel from reintroducing G-d’s immanence into the world.
Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
Parashat Balak is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 17, 5772/July 7, 2012
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Going through all these things twice: The generation of the desert, like Adam, the first man, failed to appreciate the gifts that G-d gives us. Adam blamed the woman G-d gave him for his own eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, and the Israelites in the desert complained about the spiritually refined nourishment known as manna, with which G-d kept them fed for forty years. Is it any wonder that the evil-tongued snake made an appearance in both cases, here being used by G-d as an instrument to exact from Israel a price for their flagrant disregard?
Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)
Parashat Chukat is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 10, 5772/June 30, 2012
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In praise of women: They avoided the sin of the golden calf; they did not participate in the badmouthing of the land of Israel. And in parashat Korach, we learn how the wife of On ben Pelet prevented her husband from taking part in the rebellion of Korach and helped him to repent of his original intentions. Stand by your man? Stand by your woman!
Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)
Parashat Korach is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 3, 5772/June 23, 2012
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Heaven – or at least, the Garden of Eden, in its earthly embodiment in the land of Israel – awaits the generation of the desert. All they need to do is pack their gear and step inside. From whence the spiritual negativity that drove them from “heaven’s” door even as they were perched to enter? Their great failing remains for our generation to overcome and to correct. G-d, despite His great anger at their disregard for the land, blesses them with the commandments concerning the wine libations and the taking of challah, both of which are contingent on being in the land of Israel. In this manner G-d both comforts them that their children will someday enter the land, and instructs them once in the land of Israel, their Divine mission will be the rectification of the failing of Adam, the first man.
Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
Parashat Shelach is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 26, 5772/June 16, 2012
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Israel’s desert experience, as described throughout the book of Numbers, is a reality created by G-d in which He tends to their every need, but at the same time teaches them how to take responsibility for themselves as individuals and also as a nation. When they shy away or shirk their responsibility, G-d rebukes them. In this manner they are being prepared to enter into the land of Israel where they will assume their role in bringing the entire world closer to G-d and His Torah.
Beha’alotcha (Numbers 8:1-12:16)
Parashat Beha’alotcha is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 19, 5772/June 9, 2012
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What’s in a name? Everything – if we’re talking about the name of
G-d. Just as G-d willingly allows His name to be erased for the sake of exonerating the accused Sotah, He allows for His name to be desecrated for the sake of proving Israel’s fidelity.
Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
Parashat Naso is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 12, 5772/June 2, 2012
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