Parashat Pinchas

As Jews, we must express our religious imperative to ensure equal access to land.

Not everyone is happy with Pinchas' action and its reward.

The Torah portion deals with intermarriage, a phenomenon with contemporary resonance.

Pinchas' violent act raises questions about the extent of any leader's authority.

The transition in leadership from Moses to Joshua provides us with a model for contemporary changes in leadership.

God gives Pinchas a covenant of peace; God explains the apportionment of the Land of Israel; the daughters of Tzelophechad petition to inherit their father's portion; Moses appoints Joshua his successor.

Just as God advocated for the property rights of Zelophehad's daughters, we should work to create economic opportunities for those who have lacked them.

People who translate zeal for God into violence must normally possess the qualities and ethics worthy of a covenant of peace.

Only a passionate zealous act can respond adequately to sins and crimes of passion.

How can we reconcile Pinchas' act of zealous violence and the covenant of peace he receives?