Shabbat Shalom!.
Shabbat Shalom!.
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Shabbat Shalom!.
Pinchas (Numbers 25:)
"Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon the Priest, has turned away My anger from the children of Israel, by being zealous for My vengeance amongst them; and [thus] I did not destroy the children of Israel in My vengeance. Therefore, I say, behold I give to him My Covenant of Peace." [25:11-12]
In this week's parsha we learn of the zealous deed that Pinchas did at the end of last weeks parsha. Pinchas, a grandson of Aaron the Kohein saw the men of his nation being tempted into sin by the midianite woman. G-d, in his wrath, responded by sending a plague, which eventual kills 24,000 Jews. Pinchas, took it upon himself to avenge G-d’s honor, by killing the man and the woman whom were exhibiting this immoral behavior and idol worship. After killing them he held their bodies up on a spear for all the Israelites to witness. Because of this zealous act and his passion to right the injustice and immorality,he is rewarded by Hashem.
“and it shall be for him…a covenant of eternal priesthood, because he took vengeance for his G-d and he atoned for the Bnai Yisrael.”(25:13)
God rewards Pinchas with his covenant of peace and reassures him that the Priesthood will always emanate from the House of Aaron, for all generations to come.
One might ask, how is it that an act of murder should be rewarded and praised with a covenant of peace and the High Priest(kohein gadol) of Israel? Rashi tells us
“if someone cohabits with a non-Jewish woman(in public) zealots have a right to strike him dead.”
And when Pinchas saw this public travesty, a humiliation of torah law he had to do something about it. Pinchas had stepped forward at a time when everyone else had given up,in fact the people of Israel were “weeping” and appeared in able to respond. Pinchas' valor lay in standing up for what is right,even though it appeared
at the time to be unpopular.
As the parsha continues, Moshe is told by Hashem
that his time has come for him to leave this world.
"…look at the land which I have given to the children of
Israel. When you have seen it, you too will be gathered
to your people, just as Aharon your brother was
gathered..”
One might wonder, since we have just gotten through
reading about the heroics of Pinchas, how is it that
Hashem did not give the leadership to a man such as
Pinchas? In fact Pinchas is one of the few men in which
a torah portion has been named for. But, Hashem tells Moshe to appoint Joshua as his successor.
"Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit of Hashem on him, and ordain him. Present him to Elazar the High Priest and all of the Congregation of Israel, and instate him as they watch. Impart some of your splendor to him, so that all the Congregation of Israel will obey him." (27:18-20)
The mantle of leadership of Israel passes from Moses to Joshua, as did the responsibility for the maintenance of proper Torah study. The appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor to lead the Children of Israel into the Land of Israel involves SEMICHAH, the "laying on of hands" whereby the Master gives Torah authority to the Student. Joshua deserved this because of his assiduous devotion to Moses and his constant study of the Torah. He never left Moshe’s side and learned what it took to become a leader first hand . He was truly worthy of being the next leader.
"He had been Moses attendant from his youth" (Numbers 11:28)
Though Pinchas receives a Divine reward insuring that the Priesthood will always remain within his family, Joshua receives the entire leadership role. We see from here how someone may be a strong, zealous active leader for a specific instance, however he might not become a great objective leader essential for the future of Klal Yisroel. . Though the "Pinchas'" of the world typically get the most media attention for their exciting bravery, it is the quiet, unassuming qualities, intellectual integrity and objectivity of a "Joshua" which are most essential for leadership.
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
During the time of year that we read about Pinchas it is usually a hot summer week. So this salad is as quick as Pinchas’ reaction to the sins which were committed by the Jewish men!
Summer Rice Salad
Dressing- mix together ingredients
2 tbl. Dijon mustard
½ cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup canola oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 cups chopped fresh spinach leaves
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
3 teasp. Sugar
S&P to taste
3 cups of white or brown rice cooked in pareve chicken or vegetable stock
When rice is cooled add remaining ingredients
Pinchas Pound Cake
1 cup margarine
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream(or non-dairy tofutti)
1 tbl. Vanilla extract
1 tbl. Almond extract
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tbl. Baking powder
¼ teasp. salt
Topping:
2 tbl. Cinnamon
13/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Grease a tub pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together all other ingredients on medium speed until well mixed. Pour ½ into pan, mix together topping and sprinkle ½ topping on middle layer and the pour rest of batter over. Sprinkle with remaining topping. Bake for one hour or until slightly brown on top and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Pinchas Peachy Pound cake
CAKE
2 sticks margarine
11/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs plus three large eggs yolks
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp non-dairy or soy
zest of 1 lemon
1 1/2 cup sifted flour
In a standing mixer whip margarine on medium speed until it is light and airy, about 3-5 minutes. Beat in sugar and whip for another 3 minutes.
Combine eggs, yolks, vanilla, lemon zest, and non-dairy and gradually beat into creamed margarine and sugar mixture.
gently fold in sifted flour, 1/2 cup at a time.
FRUIT
Ripe bruised peaches work best(sweeter)
Pit the fruit by cutting it in half and removing the pit with the point of a knife.
Cut your fruit into wedges and add the juice of one lemon; 1 tbs potato starch; 1/2cup sugar, or less, if like me you prefer a natural fruit sweetness. Toss lightly to combine.
spray non-stick to your 8″ spring form pan and dust with sugar. Arrange the peaches in an overlapping set of concentric circles that completely covers the bottom of the pan.
Scoop the cake batter into the pan in three places to make it easier to spread without disturbing your peaches . Use wet fingers to spread the cake over the fruit so that it is completely covered. Firmly tap the cake pan against the counter to remove air pockets.
Bake at 375 for 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and run a knife around the mold. Loosen and remove. Let cool for 15 minutes, or until the cake is warm but not hot to the touch.
Place your serving plate on the cake and invert. Before removing the bottom of the pan go around the edge with a blunt knife.
Shabbat Shalom!.
