L’dor va dor – from generation to generation – is a phrase that has come to represent our need to create a foundation for growth for those who come after us. This week’s parsha talks of the next generation of the Jews taking on leadership and coming of age in the Torah. And this generation is definitively different than their predecessors. The next generation cast off the slavery-framed mindset of the previous generation, and instead begins to take on the look of the nation of Israel ready to retake their homeland.
And simply put that is what I think we learn this week. That as we grow as a people, we must be looking and planning for the next generation, and to that end, we should look for their actions that signal they are ready to rise to that call. The namesake of this week’s portion, Pinchas, is a member of that next generation that stood up when leadership called. He stood up, acted and was given a reward of leadership. Similarly, Joshua is named the next leader of the Jewish people.
The next generation must be given the tools and opportunity to step into leadership. Each generation must simultaneously ascend higher, while making sure that it is building a stronger foundation for following generation. This dual work is the charge and challenge.
This weekend is Independence Day. A wonderful time to reflect on the blessings we have in our lives. We live in a country that allows us all to express our thoughts and intentions, not as silent hopes, but as audible and visible actions bound only by our ability to dream and willingness to act. The United States of America has created a foundation for this growth and freedom, and allows us the opportunity to act and take on the challenge of building a better life for ourselves and our families. And as we are taught this week in the parsha, that opportunity to act is one for today and tomorrow.
In the Torah portion this week, we are reminded of the generational nature of action and leadership, and our responsibility for both. And this week we are reminded that we should be grateful; grateful that we live in such a nation that allows each and every one of us to act and lead. We are blessed to live in a world that allows us an unfettered option to dream, and act upon that dream. This is an opportunity we should be appreciative of, and work to make it better now and (as we are reminded this week) for the generations that follow.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Independence Day
Shabbat Shalom.
Parsha Summary
General Overview: Phinehas (Pinchas) is rewarded for his bravery. A census of the Israelites is taken. The daughters of Zelophehad successfully argue for a portion in the land of Israel. Joshua is ordained Moses' successor. G‑d relays to Moses the details of all the holiday sacrifices.
First Aliyah: Last week's reading concluded with Moabite and Midianite women seducing Jewish men and enticing them to idol worship. At that point, Phinehas unilaterally executed a Jewish leader along with the Midianite princess with whom he was cohabiting. This week's reading opens with G‑d praising Phinehas, and rewarding his bravery by granting priesthood to him and his descendants. G‑d then commands the Jews to punish the Midianites by hounding and smiting them. The fulfillment of this command is described in next week's reading. G‑d commands Moses andElazar the High Priest to conduct a census of all males over the age of twenty.
Second Aliyah: The Israelites are counted, and the totals are given for each of the twelve tribes. The grand total of all the tribes combined is 601,730. The tribe of Levi is not included in this census.
Third Aliyah: As per G‑d's command, the land of Israel was to be divided amongst all those who were counted in this census. The location of each tribe's portion would be determined by lottery. The tribe of Levi is now counted. There were 23,000 Levite males above the age of one month. The daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses and stated that their father had died leaving behind only daughters. They requested to receive their father's portion in the land of Israel. Moses relayed their request to G‑d.
Fourth Aliyah: G‑d agreed to Zelophehad's daughters' request. Moses is then instructed the laws of inheritance. Included in these laws is a daughter's right to her father's estate if he does not leave any sons. G‑d tells Moses to climb to the top of Mount Abarim from where he would see the Promised Land before he died. Moses asks G‑d to appoint a worthy individual to succeed him. G‑d instructs Moses to endow Joshua with some of his spiritual powers and publicly name him as his successor.
Fifth Aliyah: From this point until the end of this week's reading, the Torahdetails the various communal sacrifices which were offered in theTabernacle and Temple at designated times. This section discusses the twice-daily "Tamid" sacrifice, as well as the additional sacrifices offered onShabbat and Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Jewish month).
Sixth Aliyah: This section discusses the sacrifices offered on Passover,Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. The Torah also discusses some of the laws related to these holidays.
Seventh Aliyah: This section discusses the sacrifices offered on the holidays of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret.
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