Pinchas Elevated

The Alshich asked why the incident of Pinchas is repeated after it was already described in Parshat Balak.
He answered that the emphasis in Parshat Pinchas was to demonstrate the magnitude of the Mitzva that was done. It was to teach that when one does a Mitzva with great sincerity, he is transformed into another being. He brings great merit to himself and his entire personality is transformed. He becomes closer to holiness.

We see this from the wording of the blessings that we make. The text of the blessing is אשר קדשנו במצוותיו “that You have sanctified us with Your Mitzvot.”

Pinchas believed he was risking his life. His cousin, Chur, was killed when he tried to stop the sin of the Golden Calf. He risked his life to stop the plague that killed 24,000 people.

The Torah tells us that he took a רמח, translated as a spear. Miraculously, he thrust the spear so that he killed both Zimri of the Tribe of Shimon, and Kozbi, the Midianite princess, at the same time. The numerical value of the word רמח״” is 248, the same number of positive commandments in the Torah.

The sincerity and diligence of Pinchas in performing his Mitzva, transformed him not only to be worthy of being a Kohein, but it gave him a Divine promise that the “priesthood,” would remain with his descendants forever.

This is the lesson and reminder for us. We must observe the laws of the Torah diligently, so that we can be elevated and transformed to higher levels of holiness.