Chasidic Insights

CHASIDIC INSIGHTS PARSHAS PINCHOS 5765 BS"D

Ch. 25, v. 17: "Tzorore es haMidyonim" - Knot up the discord. Avoid fights and arguments. (Rabbi Yitzchok Yaakov of Biala in Divrei Vinoh)

Ch. 26, v. 2: "L'veis avosom kol yotzei tzovo b'Yisroel" - In the merit of their clinging to the paths of their ancestors they will go out to wage war and be successful. (Admor of Skulen in Noan Eliezer)

Ch. 26, v. 9: "Asher hitzu al Moshe v'al Aharon baadas Korach b'hatzosom al Hashem" - Rashi differentiates between "hitzu," a non-causative verb, and "b'hatzosom," a causative verb. Dosson and Avirom riled up the masses against Moshe and Aharon.

The question is raised: What difference is there between the wise son's questioning his father's activities for Pesach and that of the wicked son? They are both basically asking what the purpose is of their service. Hagodoh Shel Pesach Yalkut Shimoni answers that we find by the wicked son, "V'hoyoh ki yomru a'leichem bneichem." He doesn't come to ask his father in a one-on-one basis, but rather, raises his questions on the basic tenets of Pesach to other uninformed "bonim," and creates mass hysteria, "ki yomru a'leichem BNEICHEM." Therefore he deservingly has the appellation "rosho," and was "kofaf b'Ikor." Likewise here, not only were Dosson and Avirom themselves incendiary, but they also provoked the masses. This is no less than a fight against Hashem Himself. (Nirreh li)

Ch. 26, v. 9: "B'hatzosom al Hashem" - The Torah testifies that they knew that they were wrong, and in spite of this they attempted to have a confrontation with Hashem. (Bas Ayin)

Ch. 26, v. 54: "L'fi f'kudov yutan nachaloso" - A person merits an inheritance corresponding to his realizing his shortcomings. (Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok of Blendov in Emes l'Yaakov)

Ch. 27, v. 5: "Va'yakreiv Moshe es mishpotoN lifnei Hashem" - Five women entered the Beis Hamidrosh, and no doubt, if Moshe and Aharon were learning there, many others were present as well. Women's presence and also their asking Moshe a question surely raised everyone's interest. All other learning must have stopped. People waited with baited breath for Moshe to respond. In spite of the petitioners being women, not the greatest of Torah scholars, nevertheless, Moshe made no excuses. He simply said that he did not know and had to ask Hashem. The Torah even stresses that the question was raised by women, "es MishpotoN," with an enlarged final Nun. What humbleness! (Rabbi Eliezer Zev Of Kretchniv in Rozo d'Shabbos)

Ch. 27, v. 17: "Asher yeitzei lifneihem" - An appropriate leader is one who is very spiritually elevated, but is ready to leave his exalted level, and connect to the trials and tribulations of the common man, so that he may judge him favourably and advise him according to his abilities. (Rabbi Yisroel of Tchortkov in Ginzei Yisroel)

Alternatively, the leader must be ready to give his life for the nation. (Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vorke in Chelkas Yehoshua)

A GUTTEN SHABBOS KODESH. FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED. FEEL FREE TO DISTRIBUTE BY COPY OR ELECTRONICALLY. TO SUBSCRIBE SEND REQUEST TO SHOLOM613@AOL.COM.

See also Sedrah Selections and Oroh V'Simchoh