Pinchas is duly rewarded with elevation to the priesthood. Despite being a grandson of Aaron, the High Priest, he was not initially made a priest — this was restricted to Aaron, his sons, and future descendants.

Tradition has it that Pinchas became Elijah, the Prophet, who never died. Elijah attends every circumcision and every seder table and will herald the coming of the Messiah.

The five daughters of Zelophehad, who had recently died, complained to Moses that, as they had no brothers, their family would not receive a share in the Land of Israel. After consulting the Almighty, Moses instructs that they are entitled to be granted their father’s portion. However, they were required to marry a member of their own tribe — Manasseh.

Having discussed the topic of inheritance, Moses feels it is a good time to ask God about the succession to his own position as leader.

The Lord appoints Moses’ pupil and right-hand man Joshua as his eventual successor.

The latter part of the parsha deals with the communal sacrifices that were offered in the sanctuary and the Temple in Jerusalem. In addition to the daily ones there were special ones for Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and festivals. Verses from this portion are read as the reading for Rosh Chodesh as well as the maftir for festivals. We read from this sedra at least 39 times every year. Many shuls have a sefer permanently rolled to Pinchas.

The haftorah is the one for next week’s sedra, Mattot, as it is the first of the three special haftoras of ‘rebuke’ read during the ‘three weeks’.

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