(The following is based in large part on a dissertation of the Nesivos Shalom, contained in the Bamidbar volume, p. 207.) What happens when the ninth of Av – usually observed as a day of fasting and intense mourning for the Churban (Destruction [of Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdash]) – occurs on Shabbos? This is actually more than just a question of pragmatics; as we shall see, the issue [...]
This week’s parshah opens in a somewhat unique manner. The first section details the laws of nedarim (vows) and begins with an introductory proclamation. While so far this may seem fairly typical, the departure here relates to the individuals being addressed. As the passuk states: וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־רָאשֵׁי הַמַּטּוֹת לִבְנֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל לֵאמֹר זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ד'... –“And Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes of B’nei Yisrael, saying: ‘This is the matter that Hashem has commanded...’” (Bamidbar [...]
The parshah opens up with words of praise for Pinchas, whose act of zealotry put an end to what had been Yisrael’s disgrace: וַיְדַבֵּר ד' אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר פִּינְחָס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן הֵשִׁיב אֶת־חֲמָתִי מֵעַל בְּנֵי־יִשְֹרָאֵל בְּקַנְאוֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִי בְּתוֹכָם וְלֹא־כִלִּיתִי אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְֹרָאֵל בְּקִנְאָתִי – “And Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Pinchas the son of Elazar, son of Aharon the Kohein, has removed My wrath from B’nei Yisrael through his avenging My jealousy amongst them; [...]
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From Rabbi Yissocher Frand
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