Pinchas - פינחס : "Phinehas"
Torah : Numbers 25:10-30:1
Haftarah : 1 Kings 18:46-19:21
Gospel : John 15-17

Thought for the Week:

Seven characteristics are found in a wise man. A wise man does not offer his answer before one who is wiser than him. He does not interrupt another man who is speaking. He is not hasty to answer. His questions are pertinent to the subject under discussion. His answers are in accord with the accepted decision. When he speaks, he presents his material in an organized, linear manner. When asked a question to which he has not heard the answer, he answers honestly and says, "I do not know, I have not heard." (m.Avot 5:7)

Commentary:

Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons. (Numbers 27:3)

According to the division of the land and the laws of inheritance introduced in this week's Torah reading, a man's land and goods were to be passed on to his sons and divided among them. There was an Israelite named Zelophehad who had four daughters. Because he had no sons who could inherit land, his family was not going to receive any portion of the tri...