This Shabbat’s weekly Torah portion Pinchas Numbers 25:10-30:1, picks up where last week’s left off, in the aftermath of a plague. Phineas is blessed by God for his actions and a new census of the people is taken. The brotherless daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses for a share in the land of Israel and God delineates the laws of inheritance. God shows Moses the Promised Land, which he will never enter, and appoints Joshua as his successor. The portion ends with a list of the daily and holiday sacrificial services.

Topic 1: A Census Following Plague
Last week, God sent a plague to punish the Israelites for sinning in Shittim in the plains of Moab. The plague only ended when Phineas, grandson of Aaron, killed Zimri, an Israelite man who was sinning and Cozbi, the Midianite woman with whom he was sinning. In our portion, God blesses Phineas for his actions,… Read More »

Topic 2: The Daughters of Zelophehad
As it becomes apparent that the nation is about to enter the land, the five brotherless daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses with an unusual request. Their father, they explain, perished in the desert, but was not among those who were punished with losing their claim to a portion of the land. Since they have no… Read More »

Topic 3: A Successor for Moses
As Moses will not be allowed to enter the Land of Israel, God tells him to climb to the top of Mount Abarim and see the land which He has given to the Children of Israel. The Israel Bible explains the repetition of beholding/seeing the land in both verses 12 and 13. This indicates that… Read More »

Topic 4: Daily and Holiday Offerings
The remainder of the portion is dedicated to the sacrificial services to be brought daily to the Tabernacle, including the additions for special occasions. The daily offering consists of two lambs, one in the morning and one in the evening, with accompanying meal-offerings and drink-offerings. For the Sabbath, there are an additional two he-lambs. … Read More »