First Aliya:
Last week’s Parasha concluded with the story of the women of Moab and Midyan, who approached the young Jewish men to seduce them and induce them, through sexual rituals, to practice idolatry. Pinechas executed one of the Jewish leaders involved, without trial or sentence, even though Jewish law requires it. Our Parasha begins by declaring that God granted Pinechas a covenant of peace and gave him and his descendants the priesthood, which will not be affected by this intervention. Then God commands the people to go to war against the Midianites, since their provocation was considered an act of war. Moshe and Elazar, the Kohen, take a count of all the men of military age, that is, those over 20 years old.
Second Aliya:
The total number of soldiers from the twelve tribes is 601,730. This count does not include the tribe of Levi.
Third Aliya:
Besides serving as enrollment for the army that will fight the Midianites, this census has another purpose: to organize the division of the lands to be inherited once the land of Israel is conquered. The land is to be divided among all those who were counted, and the geographical portion assigned to each tribe, the “provinces,” will be determined by lottery. The men of the tribe of Levi are also counted; they did not take part in the war and would not receive a province of their own. The Leviim numbered 23,000, counting males from one month of age. This Aliya concludes with the story of the daughters of Tselofchad, who approached Moshe and informed him that their father had died, leaving only daughters. They requested to receive their father’s portion in the land of Israel. Moshe brings this concern directly to God.
Fourth Aliya:
In response to the request of the daughters of Tselofchad, Moshe establishes, by divine command, the laws of inheritance, which include the right of daughters to inherit when there are no male descendants. After this episode, God tells Moshe to climb to the top of Mount Abarim, from where he will be able to see the Promised Land before he dies, although he will not enter it. Moshe asks God to appoint a worthy person to succeed him in leadership. The one chosen is Yehoshua bin Nun, for his reputation and his qualities as a leader. Moshe publicly announces that Yehoshua will be his successor.
Fifth Aliya:
The narrative of the succession is interrupted, and the Torah turns to detail the sacrifices to be offered in the Tabernacle and in the future Great Temple. First it describes the daily sacrifice, the Tamid, which was offered twice a day, every day of the year, including Shabbat, the festivals, and even Yom Kippur. It also specifies the additional sacrifices of Shabbat and of Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish month.
Sixth Aliya:
The sacrifices for the festivals of Pesach, Shabuot, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur are described.
Seventh Aliya:
The sacrifices offered during the festivals of Sukkot and Shemini Atseret are described.
