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Orchard of Delights Pinchas
Yet, if we approach life with a sense of wonder and a desire to break £The Extra Measure of Understanding The Extra Measure of Understanding The Extra Measure of Understanding
through the normative barriers of understanding, our time in this ££
Given to Womenomenomen
world can assume new meaning and offer tremendous opportunities. Given to WGiven to W
As Chukat demonstrates there is no better guide to lead us through
the complexities of life and death than the Torah, whose very essence
contains the light necessary to illuminate our ways through the In discussing Pinchas’ actions in the last portion, we asked what gave
contradictions and challenges we constantly face. him the strength to stand up and act when everyone else, including
Moses, was frozen by indecision. In this week’s portion we could ask a
similar question about the daughters of Zelophehad who approached
Moses and respectfully, but forcefully, requested to inherit their
£ An Antidote to the Fear of Death An Antidote to the Fear of Death An Antidote to the Fear of Death father’s portion in the Land of Israel as he had no sons (Numbers
27:1-11). Since the Torah had just dictated the laws of inheritance
££
and the division of the Land of Israel and there was no mention of
women receiving a portion in the Land, their request seems quite
In the previous section we discussed the paradoxical concept that audacious. What gave the daughters of Zelophehad the courage to
“like cures like” and demonstrated how this is reflected in the ask for something that seemed unattainable? Whatever the answer
vaccination process. Since the subject of death is treated extensively may be, it seems to have been positive because Moses, who did not
in this portion the theoretical question of whether there is any way know how to answer their request, asked God, and God responded in
to inoculate one’s self against death itself might be raised. On the the affirmative instructing Moses to grant their request. In fact, God
one hand, the answer is quite simple. At the present time, all living not only agreed but also dictated the laws concerning how and when
things, including human beings, cannot live without eventually women might inherit the Land as well.
facing death. On the other hand, though there is no escaping death,
humans can inoculate themselves against the fear of death, the fear In the verse stating that Moses brought the daughters’ case before
of death’s finality. Chukat hints at how we can do this. God, the Torah uses the Hebrew word “mishpatan” for “case.” This
Hebrew word literally means “their judgment.” The last letter in
Although the Jewish tradition is unequivocal about the soul’s “mishpatan,” a nun, is written especially large in a traditional Torah
eternity and the existence of an afterlife, many Jews are unaware scroll. Anytime a letter is written especially large or small, this is a
of this. Furthermore, even those Jews aware of these teachings may remez, a hint, to search for additional meaning. The shape of this
find that intellectual awareness and belief are not quite enough to final nun, a straight line that continues below the line, so that it
comfort them when faced with the reality of their own deaths or the looks like a staff or a spear, may answer our question about where
deaths of those close to them.
the daughters got their courage from. This final nun reminds us of
The Hebrew word for heifer, the animal whose ashes are used to the spear Pinchas used in the previous portion. As we noted, the
purify those defiled by death, is “parah” (הרפ). The red heifer is burnt Hebrew word for spear (romach) has the numerical value of 248,
until nothing but ashes – efer (רפא) – are left. Homeopathic remedies symbolizing Pinchas’ ability to unite his 248 physical limbs with his
are also prepared in a very similar manner. The ingredients for the intellectual, emotional, and psychological faculties in order to devote
remedy go through a process of serial dilution where through intense his entire being to the task at hand. This spear, alluded to in the final
shaking and spinning less and less of the original physical substance is nun, symbolically became a source of strength and encouragement
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