The Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) 31:6 tells us, "And Moses sent them, a thousand from each tribe, to the host, them and Pinchas." But the Sifrei Bamidbar, a collection of ancient rabbinic commentaries on the book of Numbers, doesn't just let that verse sit there. It digs deeper. It asks: what’s the significance of including Pinchas specifically? The text suggests that those sent were considered as significant as Pinchas himself, but also that Pinchas was even more significant than all of them combined!
So, why Pinchas? Why not Elazar, the High Priest?
The Sifrei Bamidbar offers a compelling reason: Pinchas had a personal stake in this mission. He was going to avenge the Midianites for what they did to his mother’s father, Yithro – Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law! Remember that the Midianites were the ones who sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:36). So, this wasn't just about a military campaign; it was about righting a wrong, a family wrong, that had far-reaching consequences. Doesn't it make sense that someone with a deep, personal connection to the cause would be the right person to lead? Sometimes, it's not just about skill or rank; it's about the fire in your belly, the burning need to see justice done.
The verse continues: "and the holy articles… in his hand." The Sifrei Bamidbar connects this to the Ark of the Covenant, citing Numbers 4:20, "And they shall not see when the 'holy' is being covered, lest they die." The implication here is that Pinchas was entrusted with something incredibly sacred, something powerful.
But what does it mean to have something "in his hand"? The Sifrei Bamidbar explains that “his hand” signifies his domain, his power, his control. It references Numbers 21:26, "and he took all his land from his hand," and Genesis 24:10, "and all the good of his master in his hand," to illustrate this point. Pinchas wasn't just carrying objects; he was wielding authority, responsibility, and divine blessing.
So, we have Pinchas, leading the charge, driven by a personal connection to justice, and carrying something sacred, wielding authority. It paints a powerful picture, doesn't it? It makes you wonder about the missions we undertake in our own lives. What drives us? What "holy articles" do we carry? And what wrongs are we trying to right, not just for ourselves, but for those who came before us?