VOLUME 116 NUMBER 8
Tamuz 22, 5785
July 18, 2025
Parshas Pinchas
Candlelighting Time 8:06
As we go through the various episodes that occurred during our sojourn in the desert it is difficult to understand the apparent rebellious attitude that was displayed by the nation on various occasions. They had witnessed their miraculous release from bondage in Egypt and throughout their journey in the desert they were protected by the clouds, nourished by the Manna and their thirst was quenched by the well of Miriam which accompanied them. Their clothing did not wear out nor did their shoes need replacement. Certainly, an enviable experience. Having said that what could have gone wrong that such defiant happenings took place?
Rav Moshe Feinstein poses another intriguing question. After the incident with the Midianite women when so many men unfortunately were involved in illicit instances a plague engulfed the nation. Finally, Pinchas acted and the plague was halted. Subsequently, a new census was taken and of course the numbers were down from the previous census due to the plague. Rashi explains that one reason why there was a need for a census was because just as a census was taken when they left Egypt and he took command of the people, so too, now that there is a transfer of authority into the hands of Yehoshua a new census is required. Rav Feinstein queries that seemingly Moshe did not guard the people as carefully as he should have since there is now a noticeable reduction in the population.
He explains that only the most righteous people of the nation were entitled to enter into the Land of Israel. After all, the Land of Israel due to its sanctity can only ‘allow’ those who deserve to be there. Therefore, there was a need to eliminate those who were not on an acceptable level due to their evil and malicious attitude and behavior. The different trials and tribulations that they confronted in the desert were a protocol to remove those elements of the people that were indeed undesirable due to their negative conduct. Not only did Moshe not perform and fulfill his responsibility he actually realized it to its fullest. When he presented Yehoshua with the nation before his demise, the people that comprised our nation at that point were our best representatives. Therefore, Yehoshua now had an incredible ‘team’ to work with as he continued as the leader of our nation.
Although we perhaps don’t possess that caliber of people that Moshe presented to Yehoshua, however, it should serve as a prototype that our struggles should ultimately lead to a nation that is excellent in nature and strives to fulfill Hashem’s will to the best of their ability. Does this suggest that we should also weed out those who are not attempting to reach their zenith of perfection and quality? Obviously not, because that is not our responsibility. Rather our concern should be to reach out to those who are not preforming appropriately and bring them back into line. The generation of the desert were of an unusual superiority since they were the first to enter into the Land of Israel. Therefore, the duty of Moshe was to perfect it to the highest level of performance. Our duty is to assist all in reaching those heights and levels of achievement.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The Torah refers to the ‘teruah’ sound of the shofar when we blow it on Rosh Hashanah and also it is denoted as the remembrance of the teruah. Why the two different references? The sound of the teruah motivates one to repent, however, the motivation is only good if we follow through. Additionally, we must ‘remember’ the call to repent during the entire year. K’SAV SOFER
GOOD SHABB0S