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Shabbat Parashat Pinchas| 5765

Pinchas | | 02/01/2004

The Price of Being Counted

While discussing the rules of dividing up Eretz Yisrael and giving a partial list of families who were entering, the Torah makes a far-reaching statement. “Among these there was no man who was counted by Moshe and Aharon, the Kohen, who counted Bnei Yisrael in Midbar Sinai … except Kalev ben Yefuneh and Yehoshua bin Nun” (Bamidbar 26:64-65). Although the statement appears all-encompassing, Chazal whittle away at it. Men were excluded, but women entered the Land (Rashi).

P’ninat Mishpat

Case: A grocery store keeps a record of a customer’s purchases, which he pays at intervals. The customer claims that he believes that it is likely that some entries are mistaken, and, therefore, he should only have to pay those charges that he agrees to.

Moreshet Shaul

The Ramban, in his additions to the Rambam’s Book of the Mitzvot (#4) counts the mitzva to conquer and inhabit Eretz Yisrael as a mitzvat aseh (positive). The following is the language of the Ramban. [Ed. note- we are forced to translate and regret that it prejudices the analysis.]

Ask the Rabbi

Question: Why is eating new fruit considered such a pleasure that it is forbidden during the Three Weeks (between 17 Tammuz and 9 Av)? Also, is it permitted on Shabbat?

This edition of
Hemdat Yamim is dedicated to the memory of
Mina bat David Presser on the occasion of her second yahrzeit. Her life exemplified growth through learning.
R’ Meir ben Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld o.b.m.,
Yitzchak Eliezer Ben Avraham Mordechai Jacobson o.b.m.

A weekly divrei Torah leaflet: A Glimpse at the Parasha, Ask the Rabbi, From the writings of Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, zt”l, Pninat Mishpat (Jewish Monetary Law).