Pinchas 5771

The Zohar
	Read Your Stars Lately?
	From the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; translation & commentary by Simcha-Shmuel Treister

"Mazal " is the Hebrew word for the stars and constellations as well as the modern word for "luck". Abraham saw in the stars that he would have no children, but G-d promised him that a son would be born to him and Sarah. At that time, He also changed his name from Abram to Abraham, adding the letter hei to his name. This letter is therefore connected to change of mazal and fertility.

He said to Abraham: "Because of this letter hei…the heavens are now in your control and all the stars and constellations that shine in them through [the power of that letter] hei.

The letter hei also represents the sefira of malchut that contains all the abundance from the higher sefirot and brings their influence into reality. The harsh judgments in that sefira can be "sweetened" by good deeds, Torah learning and mitzv ahs. This has cosmic ramifications and is the way to control the influence of the stars and constellations.

The Holy Ari
	Earthly and Heavenly Unifications
	from the Writings of the Ari as recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital; translated and edited by Moshe Yakov Wisnefsky

On this Torah reading, the Ari illuminates the concept of the Temple offerings and the unique effect that each one makes in the spiritual reality. In particular, he explains the mystical difference between Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and the festivals and the offerings which are meant to accompany them. Today, with no Temple in Jerusalem in which to bring offerings, it is through the specific prayers formalized by the Great Assembly in the Second Temple period that we primarily affect these spiritual unifications.

Mystical Classics
	Pinchas Everlasting
	from Shenei Luchot HaBrit by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz

The Shelah teaches that since Pinchas prevented many from sinning, he is described by the prophet as having the true Torah issuing forth from his mouth. Truth is an element that reinforces and strengthens religious belief and practice. It is not something merely personal, but is something that must be demonstrated publicly in order to convince a community to do penitence. Such a result is called "Truth", something of an everlasting nature. Pinchas stood out as a man of truth in whom the zealousness for his G-d was paramount. This explains why he was rewarded with everlasting life.

Chasidic Masters
	High Powered Transmission
	By Binyomin Adilman

The qualities necessary to lead the Jewish Nation are compassion, mercy, and the ability to relate to the nation as a whole, as well as to each individual. But, it is not enough that his rebbe be concerned for him personally. The Chasid/Disciple must also be willing to accept upon himself the influence and guidance of the Tzadik. Rabbi Yechiel of Ostravoh, the Toldot Adam , explains that this is accomplished through thought, speech and deed.

There is the Tzadik of Deed, who through his humility, depth of Torah study, and intensity of prayer and self-subjugation inspires his followers to climb higher by example. The Tzadik of Speech speaks to his Disciple to rekindle a new spirit in him. The Disciple is able to detect deep significance and derive benefit even from the Tzadik's plain conversation.

The service of the Tzadik of Thought is one of deep and lofty thought, leading a life detached from the physical world. A person who simply gazes upon him is invariably changed for the good. It is told about Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk that anyone who gazed at him even once was guaranteed not to leave this world before doing teshuva .

Contemporary Kabbalists
	Stages of Connection
	From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky

This Torah reading teaches about the apportioning of the Land of Israel to the various tribes of the Jewish People. The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches that the Jewish people's connection to the Land of Israel exits in three ways: (1) rationally, i.e. by their own merits, (2) by divine decree, and (3) by inheritance. The reason for this is that G-d chose the Land of Israel to be the central setting in which the process of making the physical world into His home would unfold. The Jewish people are similarly the nation G-d chose to be the central players in this drama. Therefore, the relationship that is about to be established between the chosen people and the chosen land must reflect that which has been established between G-d and His chosen people.

The Land of Israel was intended to be the microcosm of the comprehensive process of making the physical world into G-d's home, and it was necessary for the relationship between it and the Jewish people to be established on all three levels: rational, super-rational, and intrinsic. In this way our entry and possession of it foreshadowed the Final Redemption, in which our intrinsic, essential identity with G-d will become the operative consciousness of reality.

Ascent Lights
	Taking the Initiative
	By Shaul Yosef Leiter

Parashat Pinchas is always read around the time of the summer mourning period. The Talmud says that Pinchas, the priest, and Elijah , the prophet and announcer of Mashiach , are the same person. It is as though G-d is giving us the cure before the malady by telling us not to worry: if parashat Pinchas is being read, then Elijah is soon to arrive and announce Mashiach's arrival!

What can we do to help this happen? We can learn from Pinchas' actions. Without considering the risk to himself or even consulting with Moses, Pinchas hurled himself into action. Each of us must be a zealot for G-d's honor like Pinchas. When no one else may be capable or willing, each of us must see ourselves as being personally responsible and take action!

Mystic Story
	Chirps of a Bird Prophet
	By Yerachmiel Tilles

The building echoed to the revelry of a wedding party, but the Baal Shem Tov and his companions spent the night quietly in their room.

Shabbat Shalom.