Parsha Pinchas: The Spear, A Dead Man, And The Sisters (Num.25:10 – 30:1)

It’s easy to read Pinchas and think that with a just argument Hashem is open to reevaluate some Halacha, and I agree with that. It is also easy to look towards Pinchas for legitimizing righteous rage, and I would also agree with that. When I re-read Pinchas a few days ago I realized that this week’s portion is also about how often Hashem, Torah, Judaism, and religion as a whole is misrepresented.

Part of the human condition are conscience acts carried out in hopes of receiving a positive return. Pinchas and the five daughters of Zelophehad (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah) are perfect examples of this trait. The circumstances surrounding Pinchas and the five sisters are very different but they both are the direct result of others misrepresenting what Jews and Judaism is.

Our portion begins with its namesake, Pinchas [Read more…]