Pinchas: The Sin-Offering of a He-Goat

Numbers 25:10-30:1

OVERVIEW

Hashem tells Moses to inform Pinchas that Pinchas will receive Hashem's "covenant of peace" as reward for his bold action -- executing Zimri and the Midianite princess Kozbi. Hashem commands Moses that the people must maintain a state of enmity with the Midianites because they lured the Jewish People into sin. Moses and Elazar are told to count the Jewish People. The Torah lists the names of the families in each tribe. The total number of males eligible to serve in the army is 601,730. Hashem instructs Moses how to allot the Land of Israel to Bnei Yisrael. The number of the Levites' families is recorded. The daughters of Tzlofchad file a claim with Moses: In the absence of a brother, they request their late father's portion in the Land. Moses asks Hashem for the ruling, and Hashem tells Moses that the daughters' claim is just. The Torah teaches the laws and priorities which determine the order of inheritance. Hashem tells Moses that he will ascend a mountain and view the Land that the Jewish People will soon enter, although Moses himself will not enter. Moses asks Hashem to designate the subsequent leader of the people, and Hashem selects Joshua bin Nun. Moses ordains Joshua as his successor in the presence of the entire nation. The Parsha concludes with special teachings of the service in the Beit Hamikdash.

Overview courtesy of Rabbis Newman and Sinclair, Ohr Somayach