A Thought on Parshas Pinchas

A Thought On Parshas Pinchas

"...al piv yetz'u v'al piv yavo'u..." (27:21)

"...by his word shall the go out and by his word they shall come back.."

Moshe asks HaShem for a successor who will fill his role of leader and shepherd to the flock of HaShem. HaShem selects Yehoshua, and instructs Moshe to bring him before the ranking Kohen Gadol, who shall field the new leader's spiritual and leadership questions. The Kohen Gadol will be an intermediary in receiving Divine direction for Yehoshua. "Through his words shall the nation proceed. "

The word in question here is the pronoun "his." Just whose words will be the ones upon which the nation relies and adheres to? The verse says "by his word shall they travel." Who is the source of those words? Some commentaries conclude that it is the words of the Kohen Gadol who presents HaShem's plan. The people will turn to their new leader, he will turn to the Kohen Gadol, the Kohen Gadol will turn to HaShem and return with the "words", and everyone will follow those words. Other commentaries suggest that the "his" in our verse should be read as "His" and the meaning is that the people will ultimately be listening to HaShem's words.

The Ralbag is quite alone among the commentaries in writing that "his words" is a reference to Yehoshua. Moshe had asked that HaShem appoint someone "who would go before the nation and who would bring them back." (27:17). HaShem was endorsing that request, certifying that whereas difficult questions might be brought by Yehoshua for Divine direction, the people would come to rely on him and not feel that his power was somehow usurped or diminished by his turning to HaShem for guidance. It is not a weakness or flaw when our leaders seek Divine inspiration and illumination. It is a "plus", a virtue which reinforces our ability to have some trust and faith in our leaders.

Therefore, when Yehoshua sought Divine guidance through the channels prescribed by the Torah here, he would announce to the nation that they would follow HaShem's plan. This created a sense of security among the people, strengthening their belief in Hashem and their admiration for the leader. A leader who relies on HaShem is a leader who can be relied on.

This is being sent a little early this week as I prepare to cross the ocean for London.

Good Shabbos. D Fox