In terms of story qualities, the Torah Portion, Pinchas, stands in direct contrast to the previous Portion, Balak. Where the narrative of Balak was dramatic, poetic, and visually memorable, Pinchas is more like a series of memoranda. According to commentary, it is the 40th year of the Israelites’ wandering. They are encamped at “an eastern entrance to Canaan.”* It is a time of intense preparation for entry into the Promised Land.
Pinchas gives us a glimpse of God’s “checklist” of items to resolve and review before the children of Israel enter Canaan:
Leadership – God grants Phinehas (Pinchas in Hebrew) and his descendents priestly status because Phinehas executed the Israelite man and the Midianite woman who approached the Tent of Meeting. (Numbers 25:7-8)
(Phinehas is the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron.)
God allows Moses to gaze upon Canaan, but not to enter. “For, in the wilderness of Zin, when the community was contentious, you disobeyed My command to uphold My sanctity in their sight by means of the water.” (Numbers 27:14)*
Having seen Canaan from afar, Moses will then die.
Moses asks God to appoint a leader to guide the community. God appoints Joshua, son of Nun, who was one of the scouts who reported positively about the land of Canaan in the Portion Sh’lach L’cha.
It’s significant to note that Joshua is not a priest, but rather represents God’s conferring civil power on a lay leader. This marks the beginning of a division of power between religious leaders and communal/political leaders. It is a recognition that while God guides us in both spheres, we’re responsible for our day to day actions. **
Military Census – God commands that a census be taken of all Israelite males over the age of twenty who are “…able to bear arms.” (Numbers 26:2)* In the course of the census, we are reminded of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu and of Korah and his band of agitators. Regarding the Israelites who will enter Canaan, the Torah tells us that “Among these there was not one of those enrolled by Moses and Aaron the priest when they recorded the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Eternal had said of them, ‘They shall die in the wilderness.’ Not one of them survived, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” (Numbers 26:64-65)*
Property Rights – The daughters of Zelophehad ask Moses’ help. Zelophehad died leaving 5 daughters, but no sons. The women ask that their father’s property rights be transferred to them. “Moses brought their case before the Eternal. And the Eternal One said to Moses, ‘The plea of Zelophehad’s daughters is just: you should give them a hereditary holding among their father’s kinsmen; transfer their father’s share to them.'” (Numbers 27:5-7)*
God also provides rules for transfer of property should a man die without leaving sons or daughters.
Sacrificial Offerings – God commands an extensive set of sacrificial offerings including those which mark special Holidays; the Sabbath, the new moon, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Sh’mini Atzeret.
As God has provided direction, protection, and sustenance for the Israelites throughout their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, so God prepares them for the challenges of settling in the Promised Land of Canaan. God has given them leaders; a military structure; rules for apportioning property; and, most importantly, rituals for worship, for keeping strong a close connection to the One God, for keeping the Covenant.
Many of us are poised, as were the Israelites in Pinchas, at the entrance to a personal Promised Land where we have the wisdom, strength, and faith to realize our human potential, to fulfill God’s commandments. Like Moses, we are allowed to envision “Canaan.” Like the children of Israel, we are faced with the enormous challenge of preparing ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually to enter. Every day counts. With God’s help,we’ll complete the journey.
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