Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
Parshas Pinchas
Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section
is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person
"goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
1st Aliya: As a reward for his act of zealousness, Pinchas is appointed as a
Kohain. Although a grandson to Aharon, he was not included in the original
selection of Kohanim. No other person would ever be so honored
2nd Aliya: Moshe is told to do battle against the Midianites in retaliation
for the incident at Baal Peor. Moshe counts the Bnai Yisroel in preparation
for entering Eretz Yisroel. The total number of men over 20 years old, not
including the Leviyim, is 601,730; compared to 40 years earlier when it was
603,550. If you include all men, women and children, the total is approx.
three million
3rd Aliya: Moshe divides Israel through a lottery that miraculously matched
each tribe to its proper portion. The Leviyim are counted.
4th Aliya: Motivated by the "shayla - question" of Tzelafchad's daughters
regarding their father who died without any sons, the laws of inheritance are
discussed. Moshe is told to prepare for his death, and Yehoshua is chosen as
his successor.
5th, 6th & 7th Aliyot: The remainder of the Parsha details the various public
sacrifices offered throughout the year: daily, Shabbos, Musaf, Rosh Chodesh,
and every Yom Tov.
Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
