Bs”d
Parshas Pinchas (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
In our parsha, Parshas Pinchas the Vilna Gaon makes an interesting observation I’m sure most people overlook. In the latter portion of the sedra we have the Succos sacrifices. Amongst the korbonos on the 1st day 13 young bulls are sacrificed (whose number is diminished daily), 2 rams, 14 male lambs under a year of age, and one male goat. There is a very strange symantical phenomenon that takes place in the Torah’s expression of the goat. In psukim 16, 19, & 25 the noun the Torah uses is “se’ir izim” yet in psukin 22,28,31 &34 the terminology changes to plain “se’ir”. The former corresponds to the 1st,2nd and 4th day of the Yom Tov and the latter to the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th respectively. How can we explain such a strange phenomenon? I am awed by the Gaon’s insight and have pereptual amazement and enjoyment from his explanation.
The sum total of all the ‘parim’, bulls, brought on all the days (13 plus 12 plus 11 plus 10 etc.) is 70. The Chazal tell us, as is mentioned in Rashi, that this corresponds to the 70 basic gentile nations. The Zohar HaKadosh states that the main pillars of the nations are Yishmael and Esav. The sustenance of all the nations are channeled through these two. Rashi also mentions that in the time of the Bais HaMikdash this korban offered a protection for all the nations. Thirty Five of the bulls are designated to the pillar of Yishmael and the thirty five nations that get their survival through him and 35 for Esav and the 35 nations that are sustained through him. The Gaon goes on the say that we likewise find in the Zohar and other Kabbalistic writings that the terminology “se’ir izim” refers to Yishmael. Esav, on the other hand, is referred to as “se’ir” alone; as we find also in the Selichos of 17th of Tamuz (a timely source) the word “se’ir” referring to Esav. On the basis of these premises the Gaon continues to explain that the first honor goes to Yishmael the son of Avraham (Chazal also tell us that he did tshuva). The 13 ‘parim’ of the 1st day are designated to his nations. Therefore on this day that the commandment of the korban of the goat was given the terminology “se’ir izim” was used. The 2nd day we continue with Yishmael, the 12 bulls of that day were likewise designated for his nations and likewise the terminology for the commandment of the goat on that day was “se’ir izim”. We now have 25 bulls designated for the nations of Yishmael. The 3rd day obviously could not be dedicated to Yishmael since the 11 bulls of the day would give us a total of 36. So the bulls of that day were dedicated for the zechus of Esav and the nations that draw their sustenance from him. Therefore the Gaon points out the term used for the goat on that day was “se’ir” referring to Esav. On the 4th day the zechus of the 10 bulls returned to Yishmael and his nations making the sum total of 35 completing his lot of sacrifices and the term used for the goat on that day was back to “se’ir izim”!! The 9 bulls of the 5th day, the 8 of the 6th day, and the 7 of the 7th day respectively all go to the zechus of Esav and the remainder of his nations bringing the sum total to 35. Now it is so logically understandable why the term for goat on the 5th, 6th and 7th day is just “se’ir” which is referring to Esav.
We see such brilliance of the Vilna Gaon and the beauty of the Torah. I am sure the Gaon has said much greater and more brilliant novellae but I just happen to enjoy this.
Food for thought—I was speculating extending this idea to the Ushpizin, our great ancestors that we invite nightly to the Succah in the order of: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, Yosef and David (according to the Ari z”l). Yishmael corresponding the Avraham his father, and Yitzchok his sibling. Esav with Yaakov his sibling; the original plan was that he was to be the “Zevulun” of Yaakov, his supporter. Esav to Aharon, the avoda of the korbanos was originally to be in his hands as a “bechor” which he sold to Yaakov, now manifested in the hands of Aharon HaKohain. Esav to Yosef as Rashi brings that Yaakov waited for the birth of Yosef who was compared to the flame in whose zechus Esav is conquered. Also Yosef shows up Esav with his control over his lusts. Esav to David—David showed up Esav through his harnessing of his leaning to bloodshed for the service of Hashem. David also is the forebearer of Moshiach Tzidkaynu who will subdue Esav and bring him to Hashem. There only remains the connection between Yishmael and Moshe Rabeinu—Hashem Yair Eineinu.
The current events revolving around Eretz Yisroel is so revolting and shocking to see the Umos HaOlam carrying on with such despicable lies and injustice.. Hashem is showing us that we have only HIM. These dark days of mourning for the Churban should be turned over to a time of great light, Yishmael and Esav should be subdued through the coming of Mashiach Tzidkainu.