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From the Rabbi:
Parashat Pinchas is a foundational parsha of the Torah in that it outlines several of the core principles of a committed Jewish life.
First off, this parsha has within it the instructions for the daily sacrificial offerings after which our sages modeled the prayer services. The daily offering is called the olat tamid, the "continual" or "always" offering which is ALWAYS smoldering on the altar. This is paralleled by the foundational principle that Hashem is ALWAYS listening for our prayers, and that we can an any moment attach ourselves to the Divine by simply directing our heart as it says (Psalms 16:8) "I place Hashem before me ALWAYS."
Many of us are familiar with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva who says that the most fundamental principle of the Torah is "love your neighbor as yourself." Rebbi Shimon ben Pazzi's opinion is les well known, but he tells us that the fundamental principle of the Torah is (Num 28:4) "You shall offer one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the second lamb at twilight." Consistency in prayer and practice is what makes it real, effective and meaningful.
Another fundamental tenet of Judaism is articulated in the story of the daughters of Zelafchad who died with no sons and five daughters. These five sisters -- Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah -- boldly approached Moshe after he instructed the people in the division of tribal lands according to father's houses. "Why should our tribe lose out on territory because our father had only daughters?" These women are often hailed as the first Jewish feminists, but God's response defines another foundational approach within Judaism.
The Almighty told Moshe (27:7) "The daughters of Zelafchad spoke rightly." Not only were they correct in the content of their interjection (that daughters can indeed inherit tribal holdings), but also the way they spoke out is affirmed by God. Asking "why" is ALWAYS ok. It is right, just, and necessary to ask, to inquire, and even to challenge what we are told when our intention is for the sake of Heaven. Yes, "because God says so," but there are ALWAYS lessons to be learned which come up only when people ask questions. Therefore our sages say (Avot 2:5) "One who is too shy to ask will not learn."
In both prayer and Torah study, Hashem is ALWAYS available to us.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shlomo
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