Pinxas (Numbers 25:10 – 30:1)

Pinxas is thus named for the hero appearing at the end of the previous portion, who is commended at the beginning of our portion.

The portion begins with God commending Pinxas, telling him that his zealous act had removed God's wrath from the people. He is therefore promised a covenant of peace with God, and the service as priests for him and his descendants. God then commands Moses to wage war against the Midianites.

Now that the plague has ended, Moses is commanded to take a census of the people. A full census of all the tribes is taken; concluding that the number of Israelites enrolled was 601,730.

God then explains how the lots are to be distributed in Canaan, each family receiving their share based on their size. We then hear that the five daughters of a man named Zelophehad came before Moses, asking what would become of their fathers' lot, because he dies and had no sons. God tells Moses that the daughters are correct, and a very progressive law for that time is given, stating that if a man has no sons, his daughters will inherit his lot.

God then commands Moses to go up to the mountain of Abarim and see the Land of Canaan, for he will not be allowed to enter the land. Moses then asks who will care for the people and lead them, and God commands him to give some of his authority to Joshua, in the presence of the people and Elazar the high priest. Moses fulfills God's command.

The portion ends with a long list of the different sacrifices prescribed for the different festivals.