This Week’s Torah Portion: Pinchas – פִּינְחָס (Numbers 25:10−30:1)
What kind of leader is the ideal leader?
Moses identified two qualities, and the Midrash expands them into three that remain essential for leaders to this day.
“Who shall go out before them and come in before them, and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that Adonai’s community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17)
The most important quality is personal example.
The second – a leader has tolerance and respect for others, “tolerate each person according to their thoughts”. In other words, Moses is asking for a leader who can relate to all opinions.
And finally, a leader who shows compassion and empathy toward their people at many junctures of difficulty, of crisis, like Moses himself.
Parsha Pinchas – פִּינְחָס Torah Summary:
Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite woman who cursed God. (25:10–15)
Israel fights a war against the Midianites. (25:16-18)
A second census is taken. (26:1–65)
The daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of property inheritance. (27:1–11)
Joshua is chosen to be Moses’ successor. (27:15–23)
The sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail. (28:1–30:1)
Pinchas – פִּינְחָס
What kind of leader is the ideal leader?
Moses identified two qualities, and the Midrash expands them into three that remain essential for leaders to this day.
“Who shall go out before them and come in before them, and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that Adonai’s community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17)
The most important quality is personal example.
The second – a leader has tolerance and respect for others, “tolerate each person according to their thoughts”. In other words, Moses is asking for a leader who can relate to all opinions.
And finally, a leader who shows compassion and empathy toward their people at many junctures of difficulty, of crisis, like Moses himself.
