This is so cool for this week's Parashah


Parashat Pinchas 25: 11 "Phineas the son of Elazar, the son of Aaron the Kohen, turned back My anger from the Israelites when he zealously avenged Me in their midst, so that I did not destroy the Israelites in My vengeance."

Phineas

We read Parashat Pinchas and Parashat Matot during the Three Weeks, as these Torah portions reflect the themes of this time period. The destruction of the Temple began on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, when the Jews made the golden calf that concealed Divine Will. Phineas, through his zealotry for God, revealed Divine Will. Furthermore, Parashat Pinchas speaks of the sacrifices brought on the Festivals, which also reveal Divine Will by way of the miracles that occurred on those days.

Parashat Matot speaks of vows, which allow a person to single-handedly transform what is permitted into what is prohibited. This shows the power of free choice, which one can use to reveal God’s Will (Likutey Halakhot I, p. 290-146a).

Phineas…turned back My anger…so that I did not destroy the Israelites in My vengeance

The justice of man is harsher than that of Heaven. Therefore, when Phineas pursued Zimri, the Divine judgments ceased—not only against Zimri, who had instigated the evil, but against all of the Jews who had sinned. But Phineas actually did a great favor for the Jews, for he tricked the Divine judgments into thinking that he would exact even greater vengeance than they, and possibly even destroy the Jews altogether, God forbid. In fact, Phineas was a most compassionate person. His goal was not to destroy the entire nation, but only the instigator of the evil, which would be sufficient to turn away God's anger and bring an end to the Divine judgments. By assuming the mantle of vengeance, Phineas actually eased the judgments from the Jews, so that God could say, "I did not destroy the Jews in My vengeance." Phineas transformed ChaMaTI (חמתי, My anger) into MaChiTI (מחתי, I have wiped away), as in "I have wiped away your sins like a cloud" (Isaiah 44: 22) (Likutey Moharan I, 241).

Phineas…turned back My anger…Take a census of the entire Israelite community…The Land should be divided among these Phineas stood up and prayed (Psalms 106: 30).

Phineas effected compassion for the Jews with his prayers. One who arouses the power of prayer invokes the merit of the tzaddikim; their merit leads us to the Holy Land and allows for the revelation of the Act of Creation. Therefore the Torah’s description of Phineas’deed is immediately followed by the census of the Israelite families, whom God testifies are all tzaddikim (Rashi on Numbers 26: 5), which is immediately followed by the laws of inheriting the Land (Likutey Halakhot II, p. 24-13a). 25: 12

"Therefore say: 'Behold! I am giving him My covenant of peace.'" I am giving him My covenant of peace…a covenant of eternal priesthood


Originally, God intended to have the priesthood come from Shem. But because Shem blessed Abraham before blessing God (see Genesis 14: 19-20), the priesthood was taken from Shem and given to Abraham (Nedarim 32b). As a result of avenging Zimri’s immorality, Phineas attained the quality of “love" associated with Abraham. Love and peace are synonymous. Thus, Phineas attained the "covenant of peace…a covenant of eternal priesthood" (Likutey Moharan I, 34: 7; ibid., I, 34: 9).

I am giving him My covenant of peace... a covenant of eternal priesthood

Phineas was granted the priesthood because he avenged for God’s sake and revealed God’s Will. Avenging God's Will is considered charity, as it defeats the manifestation of other wills. Therefore Phineas was granted the priesthood, for the Kohen wears the priestly garments that reveal God’s Will (as in Exodus 28: 2) (Likutey Halakhot I, p. 290).

I am giving him My covenant of peace... a covenant of eternal priesthood

The priesthood represents peace, as the Kohanim offer the sacrifices that make peace between God and the Jewish people. This is especially true of the Kohen Gadol, whose devotions on Yom Kippur bring peace between God and the Jews, for He forgives their sins (Likutey Halakhot II, p. 169a). 26: 5


Reuben was Israel's firstborn. The descendants of Reuben were the Chanokhite family from Chanokh, the Paluite family from Palu. The Chanokhite family The other nations derided the Jews, saying: "How can these trace their lineage by their tribes? If the Egyptians ruled over their bodies, surely they controlled their wives, too!" To silence their claim, God added His Holy Name to their names—a hei (ה) on one side and a yod (י) on the other—to say: "I testify that they are the sons of their fathers!" (Rashi). This indicates that because the Jews guarded the covenant, God placed His Name upon them (Likutey Moharan I, 36: 6). Y-H( י-ה),

Rabbi Nachman's Torah

Mashiach corresponds both to prayer and to the nose (Likutey Moharan II, 1:12; see also above, Chapters 25 and 29). Scripture tells us that Mashiach’s exceptional power will stem from his nose, as in (Isaiah 11:3), “He will breathe the fear of God.” This means that his vitality will be obtained through his nose, with every breath he takes. In addition, our Sages teach (Sanhedrin 93b), “Mashiach will be able to ‘smell’ deceit and to adjudicate by his sense of smell.” As we have seen, prayer is compared to the nose; the main weapon which Mashiach will use to conquer the world and to administer true justice will be not the sword, artillery or any other physical weapon but prayer (Likutey Moharan I, 2:1). Rebbe Nachman tells us that everyone has a “nose and a sense of smell” which reflect, on a personal level, the “nose and sense of smell” of Mashiach. Thus, each person has within himself a tiny portion of Mashiach, and by engaging in sincere prayer, he can arouse and cultivate this portion, thereby hastening Mashiach’s arrival. This is yet another compelling reason for us to guard ourselves against immorality, for immoral thoughts and behavior lead to difficulty in prayer and thereby blemish one’s aspect of Mashiach (see also Mashiach: Who? What? Why? How? Where? and When?, Chapter 7, for a more detailed explanation).- Anatomy of the soul

Likutey Moharan I, 34:7). Rebbe Nachman thus teaches: The prophet foretells (Isaiah 11:9), “They shall neither destroy nor harm in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with Daat [Knowledge] of God as the waters cover the sea.” The attributes of compassion and kindness depend wholly on Daat, and in the Messianic Future, Daat will be very great. For this reason, when Mashiach comes, there will be no cruelty or desire to harm others. Compassion will spread far and wide. Nowadays, however, there are times when the forces of evil can suck nourishment from compassion... Then compassion becomes distorted. When compassion is distorted, it turns into cruelty, and Daat itself is blemished... When Daat is blemished, passions for illicit relations [such as adultery] are aroused. This is in keeping with what the Sages said (Sotah 3a): “No man sins unless a spirit of folly enters him [and distorts his Daat].” When, on the other hand, Daat is perfected, one is protected from these passions (Likutey Moharan II, 8:2).

What’s in a Name?

By Yehudis Golshevsky

Rebbe Nachman’s fourth daughter was born, he didn’t follow the common custom and name her at the next Torah-reading opportunity. Instead, days and days went by, and he had yet to provide his newest child with a name. T he Chassidim were confused by Rebbe Nachman’s strange practice, and people around Breslov began to whisper that something seemed to be wrong – the Rebbe was withholding his own daughter’s name! Reb Chaikel, one of Rebbe Nachman’s closest students, couldn’t hold back any longer. He went to visit his mentor at home to speak openly about people’s concerns. “Rebbe, if you don’t do something, people will begin to say that the Breslovers no longer name their children!” Reb Chaikel added that Rebbe Nachman already had a number of opponents who were looking for excuses to vilify his followers. Would the Rebbe himself provide his enemies with ammunition? In later years, Reb Noson would say that Rebbe Nachman never made a fuss about something unless it was extremely important to him. Generally, if someone wanted him to do something and it didn’t violate a principle of his, he would accommodate himself to their will. Rebbe Nachman shrugged. “Nu, if you think so ... Let her name among the Jewish people be Chayah!” Reb Chaikel ran out to the synagogue to spread the news. But later that day, unexpected news arrived from Mezhibuzh. Rebbe Nachman’s mother, Feiga, had passed away. Now it all was clear! The Rebbe had only been waiting for the news to reach Breslov before he named his daughter after his beloved mother. Even if he knew by ruach hakodesh (Divine inspiration) that his mother was gone, he couldn’t possibly give the name until the news reached Breslov by natural means. Reb Chaikel was beside himself. What had he done? After a time, Rebbe Nachman had another daughter, and this time he gave the name Feiga right away. But the girl died in infancy. The Chassidim would say, “Perhaps had it been reversed, and had the first girl been named Feiga and the second one Chayah [literally, ‘life’], the second daughter might have lived, too.” Afterward Reb Chaikel lamented, “When, oh when, will I stop mixing into the Rebbe’s business?!” Based on Or HaOrot I, pp. 220-221

Cup of Joe with Jo is tomorrow at 12:45pm CDT. Women of A-T...join us for a time of relaxation, visiting, sharing, etc. Just us ladies enjoying each other's company and getting to know each other better. Hope to see many of you there!

Art Scroll Jaffa Tanach commentary on 1 Samuel 31:12 According to most commentators, they burned Saul's belongings, in accord with the dictum that no one may use a king's possessions. Radak suggests that the bodies had become decomposed and infested, so the people burned the flesh, leaving the bones for burial.

wow this is a tough read....Thoughts comments? Mishnah Torah repentance chapter 3

When the vices and virtues of man are weighed neither the first nor the second time is taken into consideration, but from the third time onward; if his vices from the third time onward exceed his virtues, then those two transgressions, too are added, and he is tried on all; but if his virtues balance his vices from the third transgression onward, all of his transgressions are wiped off one by one, as the third transgression is counted as the first for the two long since had been forgiven, so is the fourth considered thereafter first, as the third long since had been forgiven, and this way till end of the transgressions. That is saying concerning an individual, of whom it is said: "Lo, all these things does God work, twice, yea thrice, with a man" (Job. 33. 29): but concerning a congregation, the first, second and third transgression is held suspended over them, even as it is said: "Thus saith the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, yea, for four, I will not reverse it" (Amos. 2. 6) and when the reckoning comes up, the reckoning is made even in this manner, i. e. from the fourth transgression and onward. The intermediary category, if there be among the half of their transgressions such sins as never having put on phylacteries, each one is judged according to his transgressions, but has a share in the World to Come. Even so are the wicked whose vices are more than their virtues judged according to their transgressions but have a share in the World to Come; for all Israel have a share in the World to Come, even as it is said: "Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever" (Is. 60. 21). So, too, do the righteous of among the nations of the world have a share in the World to Come.7

6

And, the following are they that have no share in the World to Come but suffer excision and loss of identity, and are damned for ever and ever for their exceeding wickedness and sinfulness: atheists, infidels, traducers of the Torah, dissenters of resurrection and the coming of a Redeamer, apostates, enticers of many to sin, seceders from the congregation, a public perpetrator of sins emulating Jehoiakim,8 informers, leaders who cast fear upon the congregation not for the sake of God, shedders of blood by defaming people in public, evil-tongued people, he who abolishes circumcision.9

7

There are five categories of atheists;10 (1) he who says that there is no God and no Omnipotence; (2) he who says that there is an Omnipotence but that there are two or more such; (3) he who says that there is One Lord; but that He is corporeal and has a form; (4) Likewise one who says that He alone is not the First Cause and Creator of all; (5) likewise he who worships a star, or planet, or any other as a mediator between him and the Lord of the universe; every one of these five is an atheist.13

8

There are three categories of infidels: (1) he who says that prophecy is altogether an invention, and that no knowledge reaches the heart of the sons of man from the Creator; (2) he who denies the prophecy of Moses our Master; (3) and he who says that the Creator knoweth not the affairs of the sons of man; every one of these three is an infidel. There are three categories of Torah traducers: (1) he who says that the Torah is not God given, even if he says that a single Verse or one word thereof was spoken by Moses on his own authority is, indeed, a traducer of the Torah; (2) he who denies its Oral explanation, that is the Oral Torah, or its exponents, even as Zaduk and Bythos did;14 (3) he who says that the Creator commuted this Duty for another duty and that the Torah had been nullified long ago though it really was God given; every one of these three is a traducer of the Torah.15