Parashat Pinchas

Saturday 7 July 2018                   24 Tamuz 5778

Parashat Pinchas
Numbers 25:10-29:40; 1 Kings 18:46-19:21; John 2:13-25

Our parasha is called Pinchas and he was famed for his zealousness. At the end of last week’s portion, a situation occurred that caused Hashem’s wrath towards the Jewish people. Last week, our Torah portion ended with the sin of Peor.  The people were camped at Shittim and began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab.  Moses called the judges of each of the tribes and commanded that they kill any man in their tribe that had joined themselves to Baal of Peor. The people were weeping at the tent of meeting because 24,000 people died that day. 
While they were before the tent weeping, Zimri from the tribe of Simeon walked by with Cozbi (a Midianite woman) and took her to his tent.  He walked right past Moses and in the sight of the entire congregation. This flagrant sin was not committed out of sight, on the fringes of the camp, but right at the very heart of the camp, before the tent of meeting. And, no one did anything about this. Perhaps they were all so shocked in that moment.

Although there were older and wiser people present, including Moshe and Aharon, it was Pinchas who took action. Although many people ridiculed Pinchas, he did what needed to be done.

“When Pinchas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman, through the body.”

From G-d’s response, we learn that Pinchas’ action was correct.  “Pinchas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel, in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.” 

The Hebrew word for ‘zeal’ is ‘quanna’, which is also the Hebrew word for jealousy. In Exodus 20, G-d reveals Himself as El Kanna, the jealous G-d. This word is used only 6 times in the Tanach and each time, it is in the context of idolatry or adultery (Num 5:12-31, where a husband suspects his wife of infidelity).

Ezekiel chapter 36 informs us that HaShem is zealous for the reputation of His great Name among the nations. The same G-d who said ‘thou shall not murder’, now approves of Pinchas’ double murder because ‘Pinchas was zealous for my honour’. The Greek word for ‘zeal’ means ‘to seethe with righteous indignation’.

In man's relation to God, the act of zeal is more positively viewed as the act of the advancement of God and His glory over against potential substitutes. Israel was warned that idolatry would not be tolerated because HaShem says in Jer 3:14 - "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you”. We are called to fidelity and to wholehearted devotion in the service of G-d.

The Torah tells us that his actions stayed a plague which had already taken twenty four thousand victims and that Hashem rewarded him with his covenant of peace and an eternal priesthood.

The Torah portions which we read at a particular time of the year have a special message for that time. In these three weeks when we feel the intensity of the exile, the Torah teaches us to emulate Pinchas. Among the negative effects of Galut (exile) are complacency and lack of conviction.  This is true for all who believe in Yeshua. While we are absent from the Lord, it is as if we are in exile (from the Kiingdom).

In many instances, many important opportunities are lost because we wait for someone else to do something. Who am I, we ask ourselves. But, the truth is that if there is a need, we must deal with it! Each chance could save someone’s future! More importantly, every good deed could be an opportunity to quicken the return of Messiah Yeshua!

The code of Jewish law begins that one must be courageous like a leopard. Although people may criticize, we must do what is right. Eventually, those who scoff will turn to admirers. Imagine someone who scoffed at Pinchas and then was saved from the plague! Each time we do a Mitzvah, we improve the world. Who cares if others criticize?

Furthermore, we must share the heritage of the Torah to our less knowledgeable brethren. We are commanded to be light and the light of the knowledge of Yeshua must shine brightly in the way we conduct ourselves in all situations that might arise.

At the end of the portion, the Torah enumerates the Jewish holidays. Interestingly, there total is 21 days, which correspond to the 21 days of these three weeks. This symbolizes our ability to change these days of mourning into days of rejoicing with the assurance of the coming of Messiah. We are not idle spectators in the advancement of the coming Kingdom of G-d. We who know Yeshua are at the very forefront of hastening the Day of the Lord! “For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14).

The decisions we take on a daily basis can hasten the Day of His return. May it come speedily, even in our time.