Episode Details

 As we concluded the story of Bilaam, we saw how this
prophet of the nations was looking to curse Benai Yisrael, but was unsuccessful in three attempts. Each time instead of a curse, he gave us a blessing frustrating his hosts and employers.  

And as if all that wasn’t aggravating enough to the Moabites
and Midianites, he adds to his words with a long and fourth blessing. They are obviously very upset with him as not only did he not preform the service he was hired to do, but he in fact did the opposite. The assassin had taken on the role of defender.  

Feeling guilty, Bilaam exits but leaves his hosts with a gift
and weapon suggesting an alternative method of success in their war with the Children of Israel. He reminds them that their God hates promiscuity and suggests that they set up a market place where the men will come to purchase textiles and fabrics. This is all a pretext to draw the shoppers into their tents. While perusing product at the roadside stands the men are beckoned in to see the supposed superior merchandise which can only be seen inside.  

There they meet the young Midianite women who are selling
much more than garments. An indecent proposal follows and the exchange requested is to simply defecate in front of their idol. Driven by lust, it’s easy justifying this disgusting act, not as worship but as ridicule of the strange idol these women worship. But the philosophy of Baal Peor is more than a disgusting act, it is eliminating all aspects of self-control and self-respect. What appears to be the ultimate in freedom is actually the path
to the ultimate slavery to our taavot – our It’s animalistic desires and with that, many of the people fall into the trap laid out by Bilaam.  

The unbelievable and unbecoming behavior extends all the
way up the ladder to Zimri Ben Salu, prince and leader of the tribe of Shimon. He is a very old and distinguished man among the people. He takes Kozbi bat Sur, who our rabbis suggest is the daughter of Balak. She came with the intent to seduce Moses but Zimri submits that Moses merely leads the third of the
tribes as a Levite, while he leads the second of the tribes from Shimon. He
too, seeks to justify his act as a necessary pre-messianic act to bring the
nations under the canopy of G-d.  

Confronted by Moses and the leaders, he asks if she is permitted
or forbidden. Moses replies that she is obviously forbidden. The response is
ridiculed with a question, Moses are you permitted a Midianite woman as a wife
and I am not?  

Zimri very publicly brings her into his tent surrounded by
his tribesmen and guards while Moses, Elazar the Kohen Gadol and the leaders
stand astonished. It’s almost as if they have no idea what to do. Pinchas, the
son of Elazar witnesses the spectacle sees what is going on and approaches
Moses. He reminds his great uncle and teacher of a halacha that Moshe himself
had taught that one of our people who publicly and callously shows disregard
for the Torah by publicly cohabitating with a goya is liable for the death
penalty without trial. Moshe directs Pinchas to act upon the halacha 

Pinchas approaches the tent as if he wishes to join in the
act as part of the rebellion against Moses. Entering the tent, he takes a spear
and plunges it through the two of them while they’re in the act and comes out
of the