Parashat Pinhas
Numbers 25:10 – 30:1
We often divide our Torah texts into two groups, legal and narrative. But there is a type of text found more than once in the Torah, that does not quite fit so neatly into that set of categories. These are texts of lists, very often lists of people’s names. The Book of Numbers takes its name because it includes such texts, lists that record the numbers of Israelites in the wilderness. We have such a list in our Torah portion. It conveys the final census of the Israelites, according to tribe and clan, right before they are to enter the Promised Land.
These lists are not really legal documents. But their narrative nature is not straightforward. The stories they tell are muted and mostly hidden within the data they present. In order for the stories to emerge we need to pause over the dry words and lists and sift through them. (For a consideration of one hidden story in this list, see my discussion about Serah, daughter of Asher, in Torah Sparks for 2015.)
The listing, comprising all of chapter 26, sets the stage for the apportionment of the land of Israel to each tribe and clan. So it was important to know which groups were numerous, requiring a larger portion of land, and which were smaller. The listing ends with the note that the people counted were all of the generation that followed the Israelite generation that originally left Egypt, that original generation having died out in the wilderness wandering. From this we would be led to understand that the listing refers only to those Israelites living at the moment, poised to enter Israel. Yet, as we follow along in the detailed list, we notice that a number of other people who died are mentioned, nonetheless. These are people who died long ago, before the decree was pronounced by God, condemning the wilderness generation to death.
Who are the people mentioned? The first deaths are noted when the first tribe, Reuven, is counted. Dathan and Aviram, who were allies in Korah’s rebellion, are mentioned. (Num. 26:9-10) Korah is also mentioned in this context, and not within the listing of the tribe of Levi, to which he belonged. When the tribe of Judah is counted we are told of the deaths of his sons Er and Onan. This is remarkable, for, as the Torah says, they died long before the Israelites even went down to Egypt! (26:19) When the tribe of Levi is counted we are reminded of the deaths of two of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu. (26:61)
Thus we find that the Torah has chosen to pass in silence over the names of thousands upon thousands of Israelites who perished by Divine decree during the 40 years of wandering. But it explicitly mentions the names of 7 people – including 3 sets of brothers – who did not perish because of that decree, but who all died decades and centuries before. What possibly distinguishes these few individuals? Perhaps it is that they died “for their own sin,” (Num. 27:3) as the daughters of another Israelite, Tzlof’had, who is indirectly mentioned in the list, explain about his demise.
The nameless masses of Israelites all died because they followed the popular epidemic of cowardice incited by the scouts. Not only did they fail to stand up and oppose that craven campaign, but they allowed themselves, unthinking, to be swept along by the demagoguery and faithlessness of others. They let others take over their will and their fate. Yet these 7 people, sinners all, are granted immortal remembrance because, although they sinned, at least they sinned their own sin.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi David Greenstein
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