Pinchas
פנחסZealotry & Peace
63 translated essays · 63 total
תרל"א(1870)
Opening Heading For Pinchas· Essay 1
With the help of Hashem. Parshas Pinchas, in brief — the main points. This is an opening heading that introduces the divrei Torah on Parshas Pinchas, noting that what follows is a condensed presentation of the essential points rather than a…
Zealousness Rooted In Unity· Essay 2
The Midrash teaches that by right Pinchas should receive his reward, [the question being: he was already a Kohen beforehand, so what new reward was given to him?]. The Midrash asks why Pinchas needed a reward of Kehunah when he was apparent…
Drawing All To Hashem· Essay 3
"My offering, My food" (Bamidbar 28:2), and so on. The piece opens with the pasuk in which Hashem calls the daily offerings 'My offering, My food,' setting the stage for a discussion of the korbanos. The meaning of the korban is that we dra…
Pinchas תרל"א
תרל”א ב”ה פינחס בקיצור ראשי דברים במדרש בדין שיטול שכרו. כי הי’ כהן מקודם ג”כ. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:1) says that Pinchas indeed deserved by right of his ations to be elevated and get the reward of priestho…
תרל"ב(1871)
תרל"ד(1873)
Peace Holding Divine Blessing· Essay 1
In the Midrash: by right he should receive his reward, etc. Great is peace, which was given to Pinchas, for the world is conducted only through peace; Birkas Kohanim concludes with peace, etc. The Midrash teaches that Pinchas earned his rew…
Hatred Leading To Teshuvah· Essay 2
"Harass the Midianites" (Bamidbar 25:17) — it appears that this was a tikkun for the sin, for through it the sin brings about such intense hatred, and thereby they come to teshuvah in the proper manner. When Hashem commands Bnei Yisrael to …
Torah Binds The Worlds· Essay 3
In Avos (chapter 6) we learn that every day a bas kol, a heavenly voice, goes forth from Har Chorev and proclaims: "Woe to the creatures from the disgrace of the Torah!" For whoever does not occupy himself with Torah is called "reproached,"…
Sincere Yearning Beyond Capacity· Essay 4
It is taught there: "there" — meaning, do more than your learning; and so too, "one whose deeds exceed his wisdom, etc." The Sfas Emes cites the teaching that one should strive to accomplish more than the bounds of his own learning, echoing…
Yearning All Week For Shabbos· Essay 5
"A complete rest in which You delight" (from the Shabbos Minchah tefillah). The Sfas Emes opens with the phrase from the Minchah tefillah of Shabbos that describes Shabbos rest as something Hashem Himself desires. The explanation is that on…
Pinchas תרל"ד Essays
במדרש בדין שיטול שכרו כו’ גדול השלום שניתן לפינחס שאין עולם מתנהג אלא בשלום ברכת כהנים בשלום כו’. כי רצונו ית’ מקיים כל הנבראים והוא שלימות הכל והשי”ת בחר בישראל וכשמתגלה אהבתו לישראל אין שום חטא וקטרוג יכול לבטל זה …
תרל"ה(1874)
Peace Through Holy Strife· Essay 1
"Behold, I give to him [My covenant of peace]" (Bamidbar 25:12) — "My covenant of peace." Hashem grants Pinchas a covenant of peace, and the Sfas Emes asks how peace can be the reward. For it is impossible to arrive at this covenant without…
Drawing Bounty Through Avodah· Essay 2
In the name of my grandfather and teacher, of blessed memory, on the verse, "My offering, My bread..." (Bamidbar 28:2): There are two kinds of flow of bounty. The Sfas Emes, quoting his grandfather, introduces the verse about Hashem's offer…
תרל"ז(1876)
Peace As Containing Blessing· Essay 1
In the Midrash: Great is the peace that was given to Pinchas, for the world is conducted only through peace. A vessel that holds together strengthens blessing, as the verse says, "Hashem will give strength to His people; Hashem will bless H…
Two Paths to Heaven· Essay 2
Regarding the verse, "To the larger group you shall increase its inheritance, and to the smaller group you shall decrease its inheritance" (Bamidbar 26:54). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse describing how the Land was apportioned, giving …
Reawakening Har Sinai· Essay 3
Regarding the pasuk, "a continual olah-offering that was made at Har Sinai" (Bamidbar 28:6). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse that describes the daily korban tamid as something that was "made at Har Sinai," hinting that the offering is ro…
תרל"ח(1877)
תרל"ט(1878)
Earning Reward Through Justice· Essay 1
The Midrash states: "It is by strict justice that he should receive his reward." The Midrash teaches that there is a tzaddik who deserves his reward by strict justice, not merely as a gift. This is so even though it is written, "Who has pre…
Pinchas Nullifying False Wisdom· Essay 2
Regarding the pasuk, "Harass the Midianites and smite them, for they harassed you through their cunning" (Bamidbar 25:17-18). The Sfas Emes opens with Hashem's command to harass and strike Midian, because Midian came at Bnei Yisrael with cu…
Drawing Close From Below· Essay 3
On the pasuk "Command Bnei Yisrael, etc." (Bamidbar 28:2), Rashi and the Midrash comment: "Before you command Me regarding My children, command My children regarding Me." The Sfas Emes opens with the Midrashic teaching that just as Bnei Yis…
תר"מ(1879)
Awakening From Below· Essay 1
The juxtaposition of these parshiyos: the priesthood of Pinchas, the command to harass the Midianites, the census, and the passing of Moshe Rabbeinu, alav hashalom. The Sfas Emes opens by noting that several seemingly unrelated topics are p…
Hashem's Name Refining Yisrael· Essay 2
Rashi cites the wondrous teaching of the Chanuki: because the nations of the world were saying that the Egyptians had dominated their wives, the Holy One, Blessed is He, gave testimony — He affixed the letters of His Name 'Yud-Hei' to the n…
Pinchas תר"מ essay
תר”מ סמיכות פרשיות הללו כהונת פינחס וצרור את המדינים והמנין ופטירת משה רבינו ע”ה. הענין הוא כי עתה התחיל להיות הנהגה אחרת של דור באי הארץ. לכן הי’ מנין חדש. וכמו בדור המדבר ניתן להם אהרן הכהן כך בדור זה הי’ כהונת פנח…
תרמ"א(1880)
תרמ"ב(1881)
Awakening Divine Zeal Below· Essay 1
Regarding the Midrash, where the shevatim said, "Have you seen this descendant of Putiel, etc." (questioning Pinchas's pedigree). The Midrash relates that the tribes belittled Pinchas's lineage, calling him a mere descendant of Yisro who fa…
Song Through The Korbanos· Essay 2
Chazal established that we read the parshah of the daily tamid offerings and the mussaf offerings during the days of Bein HaMetzarim in order to awaken the hearts of Bnei Yisrael to yearn for the avodah of the Beis HaMikdash, and also so th…
תרמ"ג(1882)
Pinchas Embodying Klal Yisrael· Essay 1
On the pasuk, "He turned back My wrath... when he zealously avenged My vengeance among them" (Bamidbar 25:11), referring to the kanaus of Pinchas. The Sfas Emes opens with the pasuk praising Pinchas for turning back Hashem's wrath through h…
Mutual Testimony Through Rectification· Essay 2
Regarding the counting, in which Hashem affixed His Name upon the Shevatim, as Rashi writes. The Sfas Emes opens with Rashi's teaching that Hashem placed His Name upon the tribes in the census, signaling a relationship of testimony between …
Elevating Nature Through Korbanos· Essay 3
In the portion dealing with the korbanos. The Sfas Emes opens by situating this teaching in the parsha that discusses the sacrifices. "Before you command Me concerning My children, command My children concerning Me" (Sifrei; Rashi on Bamidb…
תרמ"ד(1883)
Pinchas Sword of Tefillah· Essay 1
"He has turned away My wrath from upon Bnei Yisrael" (Bamidbar 25:11). The pasuk states that Pinchas turned Hashem's anger away from Bnei Yisrael. This is the verse the whole piece will unpack. We have explained that through Pinchas's act o…
Elevating Worlds Through Offerings· Essay 2
On the verse, "a continual burnt-offering, which was instituted at Mount Sinai" (Bamidbar 28:6). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse describing the continual offering, noting that it traces back to Har Sinai. For in the time of the Beis HaMi…
תרמ"ה(1884)
Rectifying Personal Concealment Through Mesirus Nefesh· Essay 1
On the verse, "Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace" (Bamidbar 25:12). The piece opens on the verse where Hashem grants Pinchas a covenant of peace as reward for his zealous deed. And in the Midrash: "Great is the peace (shalom) that …
Pinchas Acting For Klal Yisrael· Essay 2
On the verse "Be hostile to the Midianites etc." (Bamidbar 25:17), Chazal expounded: one who causes another to sin is greater than one who kills him. The Torah commands Bnei Yisrael to oppose the Midianites, and Chazal teach that leading so…
Rooted in Eretz Yisrael· Essay 3
Regarding the verse, "To these shall the land be divided" (Bamidbar 26:53), and so forth. The Sfas Emes opens with the verse describing how Eretz Yisrael was to be apportioned among Bnei Yisrael. It is brought down that the division was mad…
תרמ"ו(1885)
Shabbos Peace Beyond Olam· Essay 1
On the pasuk, "Therefore say [to him: Behold, I give him My covenant of peace]" (Bamidbar 25:12). The Sfas Emes opens with the pasuk in which Hashem grants Pinchas His covenant of peace following his act of zealotry. For it is brought down …
Counting Reveals Spiritual Roots· Essay 2
Regarding the counting of Bnei Yisrael in this parsha. The Sfas Emes opens by turning attention to the census of Bnei Yisrael recorded in Parshas Pinchas. At the beginning of their time in the wilderness, the census was for the purpose of r…
תרמ"ז(1886)
Hashem's Name Sealing Lineage· Essay 1
Regarding the census in this parsha, Chazal expounded that Hashem sealed His Name into the family names (as 'the family of the Chanochi' and the like) as a testimony for Bnei Yisrael, because the nations were saying that just as the Egyptia…
Kohen As Nation's Emissary· Essay 2
Regarding Pinchas, when he was zealous, as it is written, "when he was zealous with My zeal among them" (Bamidbar 25:11). The piece opens with the pasuk that praises Pinchas for acting out of zeal for Hashem from within the midst of Bnei Yi…
Drawing Down Heavenly Flow· Essay 3
Regarding the portion of the daily tamid offerings, and the teaching of Chazal: "Before you command Me concerning My children, command My children concerning Me." The Sfas Emes opens with the daily tamid offerings and a teaching of Chazal i…
תרמ"ח(1887)
Each Jew's Designated Portion· Essay 1
Regarding the census, of which it is written, "To these the land shall be divided" (Bamidbar 26:53). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse tying the census directly to the apportioning of Eretz Yisrael among Bnei Yisrael. For every individual …
Hashem The True Shepherd· Essay 2
On the pasuk, "Let Hashem appoint... a man who will go out before them... that the congregation of Hashem not be like sheep that have no shepherd" (Bamidbar 27:16-17). The pasuk has Moshe Rabbeinu ask Hashem to appoint a leader so Bnei Yisr…
תרמ"ט(1888)
Covenant of Shalom Restored· Essay 1
Regarding the covenant of shalom that was granted to Pinchas, and the Midrash that states there is no vessel that holds blessing other than shalom. The Sfas Emes opens his theme: Pinchas received shalom, and shalom is the only vessel capabl…
Drawing Shefa Through Deeds· Essay 2
On the verse "My offering, My bread" (Bamidbar 28:2). The piece opens with the Torah's phrase describing the korbanos as Hashem's "bread," the springboard for the whole discussion. And in the Midrash: it is not that I have any need for the …
תר"נ(1889)
Guarding the Covenant Inherits Eretz Yisrael· Essay 1
Regarding the counting of Bnei Yisrael, Rashi comments that Hashem affixed His Name to attest to their lineage, as it is written, "And your people are all tzaddikim, they shall inherit the land forever" (Yeshayahu 60:21). Rashi teaches that…
Inner Fire Through Korbanos· Essay 2
On the verse, "My offering, My food for My fire-offerings, a pleasing aroma to Me, shall you safeguard to offer to Me in its appointed time" (Bamidbar 28:2). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse commanding Bnei Yisrael to safeguard the bringi…
תרנ"א(1890)
תרנ"ב(1891)
Covenant Sealed In Flesh· Essay 1
"Behold, I give him My covenant of peace" (Bamidbar 25:12) — the Midrash teaches that peace is great, for the world is conducted through it, and "the only vessel that holds blessing is peace" (Mishnah Uktzin 3:12). The pasuk grants Pinchas …
Acquiring Perfection Through Mesirus Nefesh· Essay 2
"Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace" (Bamidbar 25:12). The piece opens with the pasuk in which Hashem grants Pinchas His covenant of peace as reward for his act of zealotry. For it is brought down: there is one who acquires his enti…
תרנ"ג(1892)
תרנ"ד(1893)
תרנ"ו(1895)
Nadav and Avihu Reincarnated· Essay 1
It is brought down in the holy Zohar that the neshamos of Nadav and Avihu came to be reincarnated within Pinchas. The Zohar teaches that the souls of Nadav and Avihu were reincarnated in Pinchas. The Sfas Emes opens with this as the foundat…
Repairing the Sacred Letter· Essay 2
Regarding the count of Bnei Yisrael, upon which Hashem affixed His Name Yud-Heh, as Rashi explains. When Bnei Yisrael were counted, Hashem placed His Name (the letters Yud and Heh) upon them, as Rashi notes from the spelling of the families…
תרנ"ז(1896)
תרנ"ח(1897)
תרנ"ט(1898)
Peace Through Self Sacrifice· Essay 1
"Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace" (Bamidbar 25:12). Hashem promises Pinchas His covenant of peace as a reward for his act of zealotry. The piece will explore the depth of this gift of peace. The Midrash teaches that great is the …
Earning Kehunah Through Deeds· Essay 2
In the Midrash it states that the tribes were disparaging him as 'the son of Puti,' as Rashi explains, and so the verse came and traced his lineage back to Aharon — for the Kehunah was given to Aharon, who was the most distinguished in pedi…
Drawing Down Divine Bounty· Essay 3
On the verse, "My offering, My bread... that was made at Har Sinai" (Bamidbar 28:2, 6). The Sfas Emes opens on the verse about the korbanos, which the Torah connects back to what was instituted at Har Sinai. For Bnei Yisrael were created in…
תר"ס(1899)
Transforming Judgment Into Peace· Essay 1
The matter of the letter yud that was added to the name of Pinchas. The Sfas Emes opens by examining why Hashem added the letter yud to Pinchas's name, signaling that this letter carries a special significance. For it is the letter of peace…
Daily Elevation Toward Sinai· Essay 2
In the parsha of the daily and additional offerings it says, "the continual olah that was made at Har Sinai" (Bamidbar 28:6). The Torah ties the daily korban to Har Sinai, hinting that the avodah of the korbanos draws its strength from the …
תרס"א(1900)
Bris Milah Inheriting Eretz Yisrael· Essay 1
Regarding the counting that took place after the deed of Pinchas, through which Hashem set His seal upon Bnei Yisrael, testifying that they are truly the children of their forefathers, as Rashi explains: for the Torah made the inheritance o…
Bris as Eternal Seal· Essay 2
Regarding the bris shalom, the covenant of peace, that was given to Pinchas, to whom the letter yud was added. The Sfas Emes opens with Pinchas's reward, the covenant of peace, noting that a yud was added to his name, hinting at something d…