IN SHITTIM. For Scripture clearly states, And they pitched by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even unto Abel-shittim (Num. 33:49).¹ Everything took place in the plains of Moab, for Israel did not move from there.² Also, Joshua sent spies from there (Josh. 2:1).

footnotes: ¹ In other words, Israel was in Shittim during the incident of Balaam. They did not journey there after the incident. ² Until Israel crossed the Jordan and entered Canaan.

[AND THE PEOPLE BEGAN.] I believe that va-yachel (began) is a hifil.

AND BOWED DOWN. Israel and the daughters of Moab.³ (va-yokhal), and bowed down (va-yishtachavu). Va-yokhal is in the singular. Va-yishtachavu is in the plural. Hence I.E.’s comment.

footnotes: ³ Our verse reads: And the people did eat

AND ISRAEL JOINED HIMSELF. The word va-yitzamed is related to the word tzemed (yoke) in a yoke of oxen (I Sam. 11:7). The reference is to the Moabite women; that is, Israel was joined with the women in the religion of pe’or.

AND HANG THEM. The reference is to those who were joined.⁴ The proof text is, And Moses said unto the judges of Israel (v. 5).⁵

footnotes: ⁴ Not to the chiefs of the people. The text is vague. Hence I.E.’s comment. ⁵ I.E. identifies the chiefs with the judges.

AND HANG THEM. Ve-hoka otam (and hang them) is similar to va-yaki’um (and they hanged them) in and they hanged them in the mountain (II Sam. 21:9). It is to be understood in accordance with the words of the Aramaic translation.⁶: execute those who are guilty of a capital crime. However, I.E.’s reference might be to Targum Jonathan, who renders ve-hiki’um, u-tzelovinun as, and hang them (Krinsky). However, it should also be noted that u-tzelovinun can also be rendered, and crucify them. The proof text is, In the face of the sun.⁷ The meaning of in the face of the sun is, in public. Compare, in the sight of this sun (II Sam. 12:11).⁸. The next verse continues, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

footnotes: ⁶ Onkelos renders u-ketol de-chayyav ketol ⁷ That the reference is to public execution. For they were hung in the mountain so that all in the vicinity could see them executed. ⁸ The entire clause reads, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun

SLAY YE EVERY ONE HIS MEN. From whatever tribe they may be. It is known that they slew,⁹. even though Scripture does not mention this.¹⁰.

footnotes: ⁹ Those who worshipped pe’or ¹⁰ That the judges slew those who worshipped pe’or

AND BROUGHT UNTO HIS BRETHREN. He gave her to his family.

WHILE THEY WERE WEEPING. Praying to God.

AND WHEN PHINEHAS…SAW. When Phinehas saw this, he rose up from the midst of the congregation, which was in the courtyard of the tent of meeting. There is a question here.¹¹ (Weiser). It is possible to answer that Zimri (v. 14) was joined¹². in the presence of witnesses.

footnotes: ¹¹ Why did Phinehas kill Zimri? Scripture does not tell us that Zimri worshipped pe’or ¹² With Cozbi in the worship of pe’or

INTO THE CHAMBER. El ha-kubbah (into the chamber) means into the tent. The word has a similar meaning in Arabic, although there is a difference in shape between an ohel (tent) and a kubbah (chamber).¹³ and the Arabic kubbah.

footnotes: ¹³ Between what the Hebrews refer to as an ohel

AND THRUST. Va-yidkor (and thrust) is similar to ve-dokreni (thrust me) in and thrust me through therewith (I Sam. 31:4).¹⁴ means and he thrust.

footnotes: ¹⁴ In other words, va-yidkor

THROUGH HER BELLY. El kovatah (through her belly) means in the chamber, that is, in the chamber where she was with Zimri’s brothers. Others say that the word that kovatah is related to is the word kevah (maw) in the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw (Deut. 18:3).¹⁵ means her belly. There is also a midrashic statement to the effect that ten miracles were performed for Phinehas.¹⁶ and Tanchuma on our Torah portion list 12 miracles. However, Scripture does not mention them.

footnotes: ¹⁵ In other words, kovatah ¹⁶ The Sifre

IN THAT HE WAS VERY JEALOUS FOR MY SAKE AMONG THEM. There is no dagesh in the nun of be-kano (in that he was very jealous) in order to simplify enunciation.¹⁷ is in the pi’el. The middle root letters in the pi’el receive a dagesh. Hence I.E.’s comment. It means that Phinehas was jealous like his creator.¹⁸. 38 reads: He acted jealously in My place. Scripture tells us that God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5) when it comes to idolatry.

footnotes: ¹⁷ Kano ¹⁸ Vat. Ebr

[SO THAT I CONSUMED NOT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN MY JEALOUSY.] If Phinehas had not been jealous for My sake, then I would have destroyed all of Israel in My jealousy.

MY COVENANT OF PEACE. The meaning of beriti shalom (My covenant of peace) is:¹⁹ is: My covenant peace. “Of” is not in the Hebrew text. Hence I.E.’s comment. My covenant, a covenant of peace.²⁰ should be read as if written beriti, berit shalom. Compare, Thy throne God²¹ (Ps. 45:7).²² There are many such cases.²³ Its meaning is that Phinehas should not fear the brothers of Zimri for Zimri²⁴ was a prince of a father’s house (v. 14). Phinehas was rewarded with the covenant of priesthood for himself and his seed forever, for all the high priests were descendants of Phinehas. It is possible that Eleazar²⁵ had other sons.²⁶

footnotes: ¹⁹ The literal meaning of beriti shalom ²⁰ In other words, beriti shalom ²¹ Translated literally. ²² Which should be read as if written, Thy throne, throne of God. See I.E. on Num. 12:6. ²³ Where a word is missing in the Biblical text and has to be supplied by the reader. ²⁴ Who came from a powerful family which might avenge his death. ²⁵ Who served as high priest after the passing of Aaron. See Num. 20:22-29. ²⁶ The high priesthood would in any case have been passed on through Phinehas.

The word acharav (after him) (v. 13)²⁷ is proof that Phinehas died and is in no way to be identified with Elijah.²⁸ on the Torah portion, Phinehas. I have already explained it.²⁹ Phinehas was ruler over them [Israel] (I Chron. 9:20). He was alive during the incident of the concubine from Gibeah.³⁰

footnotes: ²⁷ The phrase “after him” means after his death. ²⁸ Who did not die. Some of the rabbis believe that Phinehas is Elijah. See Yalkut Shimoni ²⁹ See Jud. 20:28. ³⁰ See Judges, chapters 19-21. These citations, which occurred before the story of Elijah, prove that Phinehas could not be Elijah.

BECAUSE HE WAS JEALOUS FOR HIS GOD. He acted out of his love for God. He also did good for Israel.³¹. According to the midrashic interpretation, the father³² atoned and the children³³ will atone.³⁴ and because he…made atonement for the children of Israel.

footnotes: ³¹ I.E.’s paraphrase of and made atonement for the children of Israel ³² Phinehas. ³³ Phinehas’s descendants. ³⁴ Hence the connection between an everlasting priesthood

WHO WAS SLAIN WITH THE MIDIANITISH WOMAN. Et ha-midyanit is to be rendered, with the Midianitish woman.³⁵ here means with. There are many such instances.³⁶ has the meaning of with. See I.E. on Ex. 1:1 (Vol. 2, p. 3).

footnotes: ³⁵ In other words, et ³⁶ Where et

A PRINCE OF A FATHER’S HOUSE AMONG THE SIMEONITES. One of the five fathers’ [houses] of the children of Simeon.³⁷ The head of his father’s house was greater than he.³⁸

footnotes: ³⁷ See Num. 26:12,13. ³⁸ The tribe of Simeon was divided into five branches, each of which was called a father’s house. Zimri was a prince of one of the five branches of the tribe of Simeon (Num. 1:4). Midian was similarly divided into five houses.

ZUR. Zur was one of the kings of Midian. Note, each of the five kings of Midian ruled over a house.

HARASS. Tzaror (harass) is an infinitive.³⁹. An imperative is vocalized with a sheva. It is like the word zakhor⁴⁰ rather than with a sheva. (remember) in Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

footnotes: ³⁹ It is vocalized with a kamatz ⁴⁰ Which is also vocalized with a kamatz

FOR THEY HARASS YOU. Ki tzorerim⁴¹ is a present form. However, Scripture tells of what the Midianites did to the Israelites. Hence I.E.’s comment. hem lakhem (for they harass you) is to be rendered: for they harassed you.

footnotes: ⁴¹ Tzorerim

BY THEIR WILES. Be-nikhlehem (by their wiles) means by their evil thoughts. Be-nikhlehem is related to the word va-yitnakkelu (they conspired) in they conspired against him (Gen. 37:18).⁴².

footnotes: ⁴² Both words come from the same root, nun, kaf, lamed

AND IN THE MATTER OF COZBI. Furthermore, they intend to harm you because of what happened to Cozbi their sister.