Parashah and Politics·Episode 41·Apr 1, 2024

Parashat Pinchas: A Manuscript, a Painting, & a Land

In 1965, a California librarian discovered a literary treasure in her attic: half of the original manuscript of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn." This remarkable find, which included unpublished parts of the novel, was a significant literary discovery, comparable to finding an original Shakespeare manuscript. The librarian's lack of interest in her grandfather's trunk, which contained this cultural treasure, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of valuing one's inheritance. This theme of inheritance resonates deeply in Parashat Pinchas, where the biblical narrative explores the concept of inheritance through the stories of Pinchas and the daughters of Zelophehad. Pinchas, rewarded with a covenant of peace and a perpetual priesthood, exemplifies the idea of inheritance bestowed for his zealousness for God. Similarly, the daughters of Zelophehad, who passionately sought their father's inheritance in the Promised Land, highlight the connection between love and inheritance. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks notes, "What we love, we inherit; what we fail to love, we lose." This lesson is mirrored in the rediscovery of a lost Poussin painting, emphasizing the enduring value of cultural and spiritual legacies cherished across generations.