Thursday, Tammuz 22, 5779 / July 25, 2019

In Parshat, Pinchas, which we read this Shabbat in the Diaspora, we find the following subjects.

G-d grants Pinchas, grandson of Aaron, His covenant of peace and as a result Pinchas, who was not a Kohen (priest) until now, becomes a Kohen, like his father and grandfather. This was in reward for intervening to stop a plague which befell the Jewish people and killed 24,000 people.

After the plague, G-d tells Moshe and Elazar to count the people over the age of 20, who were left after the plague. The Torah enumerates how many people in each of the twelve tribes. Then the total amount of all tribes together, which amounted to 601,730.

Then G-d tells Moshe that the land of Israel will be allocated to these 601,730.

The tribe of Levi was also counted, but they were counted from one month and up. Their numbers were: 23,000.

This is the second count of the Jewish people in the Book of Numbers. The first count was 38 years earlier, in the beginning of the Book of Numbers. At that time there were 603,550 men over age 20. This count in Parshat Pinchas, took place 38 years later, as they were about to enter into the Promised Land. Thus, in this count there were a little less than 38 years earlier.  

We also read about the story of the five daughters of Tzelafchad, whose father passed away in the desert and left no sons. They asked for their father’s share in the Promised Land. Moshe brought their claim before G-d. G-d told Moshe that the daughter’s of Tzelafchad were right. G-d commanded that when a man dies not leaving any sons, his inheritance should go to his daughters.

G-d tells Moshe that he will not enter into the Promised Land and he will die in the desert. Although the actual story of Moshe’s passing is told at the end of the Torah, G-d already tells Moshe to get ready, as he will not enter the Promised Land.

G-d tells Moshe to appoint Yehoshua (Joshua) as the future leader of the Jewish people and that Joshua will bring the people into the land. Moshe asked G-d to appoint one of his own children as the future leaders of Israel. G-d replied, “Joshua was your faithful student all these years, he will be the one to bring the people into the land.”

b. Why were there fewer people at this counting than 38 years earlier?

A. Almost all 603,550 men over age 20, who were included in the first count, died in the desert as a result of their refusal to enter into the Land of Israel. Plus, many died in the rebellions which took place during their 40 years in the desert.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY