This week’s Parshah contains the second census of the Israelites in the book of Numbers. The first was held in the second year of wandering in the wilderness, while this one is held years later, during the fortieth year. The reason for this census would seem to be simple. A new generation has grown up and is poised to enter the Land. It is necessary to have accurate population statistics, both for military purposes and for the eventual division of the Land among the people. Indeed the Torah itself supports such a view, stating directly after the census, that among those enumerated the land should be divided. It is interesting then that Rashi, quoting the Rabbis, finds it necessary to explain the census in other terms. He gives two reasons for the present enumeration of the people. One is that, following the plague described at the end of the last Parshah, G-d wishes to assess the damage, in the manner of a shepherd checking his flock after an attack by wild beasts. The other reason for the census is connected to the immanent death of Moses. G-d had given the people into his care, and now he was relinquishing his charge, he gives a report to G-d on their situation. This commentary suggests a deeper meaning to the enumeration of the people. It is not merely a counting of heads, but a historical retrospect of the forty years of wandering. As Rashi points out in his comments on the census, the events of the wandering in the wilderness have left their mark. Some tribes have grown; others, like Shimon, have lost heavily. Some families have totally disappeared. All these changes in population are linked to events in the wilderness. The sin of the spies, the incident of Korach and the plague in Moab, all contributed to shaping the new face of the people. Moses, in handing over to Joshua, and giving back his charge to G-d; is returning a very different people to the one he received. The census is thus an essential preparation for entering on a new stage in Jewish history. In order for the people to go forward, it is necessary for them to know where they came from. Their progress in the future is firmly built on an appreciation and understanding of their past. This is a lesson we seem to have forgotten. Too much of our discourse seeks to ignore the past, rendering us unable to place the present in context and wisely plan for the future. This leads to wrong decisions and bad policies. To know where we are going we need to first understand where we came from.

ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS

Rishon	Pinchas is rewarded by G-d for his zeal. The command to deal harshly with the Midianites.
Sheni	The census of the new generation.
Shelishi	The census of the Levites. The daughters of Zelophad ask for their father’s portion in the Land.
Revi’i	Their request is granted. Moses is informed of his impeding demise and is told to appoint Joshua as leader.
Chamishi	The daily Shabbat and Rosh Hodesh sacrifices.
Shishi	The additional sacrifices for Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Shevi’i	The sacrifices of Succot.
Haftorah	Jeremiah: 1;1-2;3: Jeremiah reluctantly agrees to be a prophet to his wayward people.

 

Sidra Statistics

Parshat Pinchas

 

·               has 168 verses;

·               is the  8th  in Numbers,  41st  in the Torah

·                2nd longest in Numbers,  2nd  longest  in the Torah  

·                has 6 pos  mitzvot.