Small Jew, Big Impact – Everyone Can Be a Hero [Pinchas] 5786

In this Parsha Review Podcast episode on Parshas Pinchas, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe highlights Pinchas’ heroic act at the end of last week’s portion — zealously stopping the plague by confronting Zimri and Kozbi, thereby saving the Jewish people from assimilation and destruction plotted by Bilaam. The new parsha opens with Hashem’s reward: a covenant of peace and eternal priesthood for Pinchas and his descendants.

Rabbi Wolbe explores the small Yud in Pinchas’ name as a profound hint: even an “ordinary” Jew (a small yud / yid) can rise to greatness and bring peace through decisive action for Heaven’s sake. He contrasts this with the absence of portions named after giants like Moshe or Aaron, noting that Pinchas exemplifies what every individual can achieve.

The episode ties into the start of the Three Weeks, stressing Jewish unity, the power of common sense, objective truth, and the courage to stand up when others remain silent. Rabbi Wolbe encourages listeners not to hide their Judaism (e.g., mezuzah on the door) and to act effectively rather than just make noise — rebuke only when it can be heard, but never stay passive in the face of wrong.
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This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa Friedman

• Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing

Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on June 30, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on July 2, 2026

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Share your questions at [email protected] or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: [email protected]
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Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Bamidbar, #Pinchas, #SmallYud, #JewishHero, #Covenant, #Peace, #StandUpForTruth, #ThreeWeeks, #JewishUnity, #ZealForHashem, #CommonSense

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