Parashat Pinchas
Weekly Torah Portion (Parashah): Bamidbar (Numbers) 25:10-30:1
Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Pinchas, we read about the division of the Promised Land among the Israelites:

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Among these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.’
Numbers 26:52-53

This inheritance was meant to be a fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As weread further, a sobering reality emerges:

These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Numbers 26:63-65

This passage highlights the tragic outcome for an entire generation of Israelites. Despite witnessing God's miracles during the Exodus and their journey through the wilderness, they were denied entry into the Promised Land due to their lack of faith. Only Caleb and Joshua, who remained steadfast in their trust in God, were allowed to enter.

The New Covenant echoes this lesson, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience. In Hebrews 3:16-19, we read:

For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.

Rav Shaul (the Apostle Paul) sheds more light on this in his first letter to the Corinthians:

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Messiah. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13

These scriptures serve as a stark warning: do not take God's grace for granted. The disobedience and lack of faith of the Israelites in the wilderness are examples for us today, reminding us to remain vigilant in our faith and obedience.

Jeremiah also reinforces this message in the Haftarah portion:

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:11-12

God’s word is true and His promises are faithful. He watches over His word to fulfill it, and just as He provided for Caleb and Joshua, He will provide for those who remain obedient and faithful to Him today.

The story of Parashat Pinchas is not just a historical account but a lesson for us all. It reminds us to heed the warnings of the past, to walk in faith, and to trust in God's promises. As we move forward in our spiritual journeys, let us be encouraged by the examples of Caleb and Joshua and strive to live lives of faith and obedience.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran