Tammuz 16, 5776/July 22, 2016
This week's Torah reading of Pinchas brings to a close the book of Numbers' gallery of villains and heroes, that is, those individuals, both Israelite and non-Israelite, who either sunk to the depths of depravity, falling prey to their own ambition and pride, or, as in the case of Pinchas himself, who became a household name in Israel in the twinkling of an eye, stood up and took action when all others fell silent and listless. At this point in the narrative the relentless march of history recaptures our attention. Forty years of desert wanderings have passed and are drawing to a close. The children of Israel are closer then ever, physically and temporally, to entering the land promised them by G-d , and a sense of anticipation and excitement is clearly gripping the people.
The early days of the journey, the crossing of the Sea of Reeds, standing at Mount Sinai, even the building of the holy Tabernacle are practically ancient history. Certainly none of the menfolk, (save Moshe, Yehoshua and Calev), have any clear memory of these events, as the entire generation of male Israelites which left Egypt have died in the wilderness, by direct decree of G-d for the sin of the spies. No doubt the emerging generation were well schooled in all the events which immediately preceded them, being taught through story and song by the women who, unimpressed by the evil report delivered by the spies did not succumb to despairing of inheriting the land, as did the men. They clearly remembered the ten plagues which ravaged Egypt, the slaying of the first born, the midnight exodus from Egypt, and all the wonders and miracles which followed, and diligently taught them to their children and grandchildren. And of courseMoshe, who, to his dying day was in full possession of his intellectual and prophetic powers, regularly taught the law received at Sinai, readying the people for the day after, when they will enter the land under a new leadership.
There are still wars to be fought before entering the land, and there will be many, many battles to be waged after entering the land before the inheritance of Israel is at last secured. But it has begun, and the transformation from a nomadic desert nation to a nation of towns and cities which lives on and lives off of the land of Israel has focused the people.
This is clearly reflected in the account of the "The daughters of Tzelaphchad the son of Chepher, the son of Gilad, the son of Machir, the son of Manasheh, of the families of Manasheh the son of Yosef, came forward, and his daughters' names were Machlah, Noa, Choglah, Milcah, and Tirtzah." (Numbers 27:1) The five women petition Moshe for the inheritance of their father, who died and had no sons. The sisters approach Moshenow because they know that the day is coming soon that they will cross the Jordan river and enter into the land. G-d Himself responded to the five daughters' petition, no doubt filled with tremendous joy at their yearning for an inheritance in the land, saying,"Tzelaphchad's daughters speak justly. You shall certainly give them a portion of inheritance along with their father's brothers, and you shall transfer their father's inheritance to them." (ibid 27:7)
The petition of the five sisters receives a comprehensive response from G-d enumerating the laws of land inheritance, and also serves, perhaps, as a sweet, gentle reminder that the time has come, for immediately after concluding His response He turns to Moshe, saying "Go up to this mount Abarim and look at the land that I have given to the children of Israel. And when you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, just as Aharon your brother was gathered." (ibid 27:12-13) G-d's announcement that Moshe's final day has arrived no doubt is a heavy blow to Moshe, but it also is final proof for Moshe that G-d's promise to His people is about to be fulfilled, that the children of Israel are about to step forth into the promised "land of milk and honey."
Moshe's response to G-d's words is immediate and emphatic: "Let HaShem, the G-d of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go forth before them and come before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of HaShem will not be like sheep without a shepherd." (ibid 27:16) Moshewill have time to reflect on the forty years spent in the wilderness, as we will see in the book of Deuteronomy, but not until he has secured from G-d a guarantee that upon his passing a new leader will arise to bring the people into Israel. G-d names Yehoshua, and tells Moshe, "You shall bestow some of your majesty upon him so that all the congregation of the children of Israel will take heed." (ibid 27:20) The transition has been made. Aharon's service as Kohen Gadol (High Priest) has been taken up by his sonElazar, with G-d's word that his son Pinchas will follow in his stead. Moshe will be succeeded by Yehoshua, and the incomparable generation of the exodus and the Sinai revelation has been replaced by a new generation of warriors and farmers who will inherit and settle the promised land of Israel.
Time marches forward and, if we adhere to G-d's path, His promises are realized and a new reality is achieved. The past one hundred years have witnessed many miracles for the nation of Israel, many trials and tribulations and many blessings and rewards. Yesterday's visionaries and indispensable leaders have passed and new leaders and visionaries have arisen, just as G-d promised. We have been returned to the land of our fathers, we have liberated and are settling the land. Now we are busy preparing Israel and the world for the building of the Holy Temple where G-d's presence will dwell, bringing blessing to all the world!
-The Temple Institute
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