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Why does Pinchas who is Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the Prophet) come to Brissim and what does it have to do with this Parshas Pinchas?

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The question is written as a riddle (i.e., like the question knows the answer already. There's really no other reason I can think of for asking what it has to do with the parasha rather than asking whether it has anything to do with the parasha). Closing per meta.judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/140. – msh210♦ Jun 28 '11 at 18:31
@msh210 If the 2nd part of the question is the problem, why not just edit it out. The 1st part of the question looks valid and constructive. – yydl Jun 28 '11 at 18:36
@yydl, even the first part: Eliyahu is known for coming. Asking why "Pinchas who is Eliyahu" comes rather than asking why Eliyahu comes implies that the questioner already has a reason in mind for Pinchas. – msh210♦ Jun 28 '11 at 18:40
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@msh210 Hmm, so if someone comes along and asks why Eliyahu comes to Brissim, would that be a dup, or okay? – yydl Jun 28 '11 at 18:41
Sounds okay to me. You think this question should be reworded "why does Eliyahu come to a b'ris" and reopened and the answer reworded "Because he's Pin'chas and..."? What do others think? – msh210♦ Jun 28 '11 at 18:43
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closed as not constructive by msh210♦ Jun 28 '11 at 18:32

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1 Answer

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The Bnei Yissochar answers it says in Parshas Pinchas:

תחת אשר קנא לאלוהיו ויכפר על בני ישראל

In Pirkie D'rav Eliezer it says:

Hashem saw Pinchas and asked him "What are you doing?" he answered and said he was angry for Hashem and Hashem told him you are always angry for Hashem in Shitim about the Immorality and here on the fact that they wait until you see the Bris with your own eyes.From Here we Have the Minhag to put a Chair for Eliyahu at every Bris as he is called the Angel of Circumcision.

The Bnei Yissochar said he heard of a Medrash on this where Eliyahu continues and tells Hashem what will be if I will be at the Bris of a sinner I wont be able to withstand him. Hashem answered and said I will forgive him.He went further and said what if the guests are sinners Hashem replied I will forgive them also,He went further and said maybe the Mohel will be a sinner Hashem answered I will forgive him too.

Now we can explain the Possuk: "תחת אשר קינא לאלוקיו"-Because you are zealous for Hashem. "קנאי לה'"-Therfore you can not stand sinners "ויכפר על בני ישראל" –Therfore all of the Jews will be forgiven.

Therefore he comes to Brissim to bear witness to Hashem's promise to grant everyone forgiveness, and the posuk in Parshas Pinchas explains why Hashem grants us this forgivness.

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YS, you accidentaly wrote that Eliyahu comes to Brissim to grant everyone forgiveness. It is Hashem that does the forgiving, Eliyahu (Pinchas) who does the testifying. – Yahu Jun 27 '10 at 21:58
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Thanx, for correcting me I don't want to be Catholic or anything. – SimchasTorah Jun 28 '10 at 2:19

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