The Census in Parashat Pinhas

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1. The Daughters of Zelophehad

   Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

   The census in Parashat Pinhas is in anticipation of the division of the land. Why does the Torah insert two unrelated stories - the story of Datan, Aviram, and the sons of Korah, and the story of the daughters of Zelophehad? Apparently these are stories describing situations in which a person might lose his inheritance in the land, following a severe sin, or in a case of no legal heirs. Zelophehad's daughters claim that their father, who had no sons, does not deserve to lose his inheritance as someone who sinned severely, like Korah.

2. Families

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   The key to understanding the unique nature of Parashat Pinhas is the significance of the families in this census. The families are emphasized throughout the counting process.

3. Families (Audio)

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 12 minutes

   The key to understanding the unique nature of Parashat Pinhas is the significance of the families in this census. The families are emphasized throughout the counting process.

4. The Second Census

   Rabbi Yair Kahn

   The beginning of our parasha contains a rare scriptural phenomenon known as a "pesik be-emtza pasuk" – a break in the middle of a verse.  In the Torah scroll, there is a space between the beginning of verse 26:1, "When the plague was over," and the continuation of the pasuk, "Hashem said to Moshe and to Elazar son of Aharon the Kohen."

   This abrupt break itself demands an explanation, but the difficulty is compounded when we take a closer look at the context of this verse, that seemingly digresses from the general theme of the war with Midian. Suddenly, we find a thematic digression as the Torah introduces the recounting of Bnei Yisrael, the incident of the daughters of Tzelofchad, and the appointment of Yehoshua. This is followed by two halakhic sections, a lengthy description of communal sacrifices and a brief section dealing with personal vows. Finally, the Torah returns to the campaign against Midian and repeats the command to attack. Why is the command to attack Midian repeated? What is the meaning of this digression? Why was it necessary for the Torah to insert this entire section into such an inappropriate location? What is the connection between these sections to Sefer Bamidbar, and with the war against Midian?

5. Short Thoughts on Pinchas - Zeal

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 21 minutes

   Parashat Pinchas opens with the bracha given by God to Pinchas for his zealotry on behalf of God. What is the definition of kanaut - zeal - in the Torah? We examine the challenge posed by Zimri, which Pinchas thwarted. We gain insight into the meaning of the "covenant of peace" and the difference between zeal and people involved in court activities.

   Then we look at another zealot, one who says “I have been zealous for God”- Eliyahu. Hazal associates this non-normative trait with Pinhas.and view them as exemplifying two sides of zealotry. We examine the  similarities and differences  berween Eliyahu and Pinhas and consider the better and worse aspects of zeal.

6. Parashat Pinhas and the Primacy of Counting in the Book of Bemidbar

   Dr. Yael Ziegler | 34 minutes

   At the beginning of Parashat Pinhas is the second Divine command to count Bnei Yisrael (the first at beginning of Bemidbar).)  This event has far more importance than just counting the people. It becomes the name for the book: the Sages' name for the book of Bemidbar  is"The Book of Counting" - the Sages – see it as the essence of the book.

   We examin various suggested reasons for God's command to count Bnei Yisrael, and we note that the second counting has a major difference in the reasons for counting from that of the first census: we find military vs. inheritance to explain the disparities.