Simchas Avraham

The Torah goes out of its way to tell us every stop that was made on the way to Eretz Yisrael. Every stop had a purpose, had a reason. It wasn't for naught.

So too, a person can have different stops along the way that they didn't to make. In the end though, it too, was for for a purpose.

One of the places Bnei Yisrael traveled to in the desert was Midbar Sinai. But the Torah here makes no mention of what took place there, unlike by other stops they had along the way. R Moshe Feinstein z'l approaches this in a practical way for us today.

The Parsha starts out talking about making vows. What does that have to do with the end of the end of the parsha last week? Perhaps it's coming to tell us that when you commit to do an undertaking, it's not to be taken lightly. Make sure you say "bli neder".

Pinchas was immensely rewarded for his act. But he didn't take over as leader after Moshe Rabbeinu. That was Yehoshua. Perhaps that could be because when someone does such a cruel act he's viewed differently. He can't be seen as cruel and be a leader at the same time..

What's the most important pasuk in the Torah??

Lots of choices to choose from.

One opinion is that the most important one is the one that breeds greatness.

The parsha has a common denominator. Everything is connected to Eretz Yisrael, the Beis Hamikdash, & of course the final geula.

‏במהירה בימינו אמן

Every time Balak tried to curse Klal Yisrael it turned into a blessing. The worst turned into the best. The same can be said by us. It seems like the worst has taken place, but in reality, its the best.

You'd think that after failing once, Bilam would stop to get rid of Klal Yisrael. But he didn't stop. He refused to get the message. His advise to Pharaoh failed, and now this also did. Not only that, but his curses turned into brachas.

The difference between Avraham Avinu & Bilam is very stark in a number of ways. But Bilam took it to a new low. He ended up like an animal.

In the parsha we have the death of both Aharon & Miriam. When they passed away, something disappeared from within Klal Yisrael. The power that a tzaddik has is enormous. If you know one, don't let him get away.