2020/5780
Parashat Pinchas begins with Hashem telling Moshe about how Pinchas has suddenly directed his wrath and anger away from Bnei Yisrael and caused Hashem to save them, as the Pasuk states “Pinchas Ben Elazar Ben Aharon HaKohen Heishiv Et Chamati Mei’al Bnei Yisrael B’Kano Et Kinati Bitocham V’Lo Kiliti Et Bnei Yisrael BeKinati,” “Pinchas, son of Elazar, son of Aharon the Kohen, turned my wrath from upon the children of Israel when he zealously avenged My vengeance among them so I did not consume the Children of Israel in my vengeance'' (BeMidbar 25:11). Pinchas is then named a Kohen, and is the only living person who was not a Kohen by family but was instead exalted to become a Kohen. \
We may ask how Pinchas was able to become a Kohen or a special person, compared to the rest of Bnei Yisrael who had done good things and were not appointed Kohanim. We may ask about Nachson Ben Aminadav, who went into the Reed Sea first, prompting God to save the Jewish people, or the Levi’im who abstained from the Cheit HaEgel, that even Aharon the Kohen Gadol was forced to participate in. So how specifically did Pinchas get the reward of being appointed a Kohen?
Rashi says that this Brit is showing Hashem's gratitude towards Pinchas, and His gratitude was displayed through his appointment to the Kehunah. This answer could be compared to when someone helps a friend in matters of business, and as a result, the friend takes this person out to dinner as a reward. Just as Pinchas glorified and sanctified the glory of Hashem, by addressing the disgusting actions of Bnei Yisrael, Hashem is returning to honor him. This is a nice answer, however, it does not fully answer our first question about why be appointed a Kohen? Why not make Pinchas the next leader of Bnei Yisrael, as Moshe asks later in the Parashah, for Hashem to find a new leader?
We may understand this through the words of the pesukim which follow, ‘’U’LeZaro Acharav Brit Kehunat Olam’’, “And his offspring after him eternal priesthood’’ (25:13). The difference shown is that being a Kohen is eternal, a Kohen is something passed down from generation to generation. You can not buy your way into the Kehunah or revolt your way in.
I think this explains why Pinchas was chosen specifically to become a Kohen. Pinchas saved the Jewish people for eternity. He was able to stand up to the peer pressure of Bnei Yisrael’s actions, and say enough, that he will not stand for desecrating Hashem's name anymore. And someone who stands for preserving Hashem and His name, their legacy will be eternal for recognizing the eternal greatness of God, and He will keep them and their family part of that greatness.
Sometimes it is hard for us to see Hashem in our lives. Sometimes we choose not to look, or to comment on things we know are wrong. However, we need to stand like Pinchas did and preserve Hashem's name. We should all try to find ways that we could bring good into our lives, whether that is by taking a big stand like Pinchas, or even by just handing out water bottles to random people. And once we do this we will show we are eternally connected to our maker.