Why does the Torah present the Yichus of Zimri and Kozbi?
Rashi: Where the Torah presents the Yichus of the Tzadik to his credit, it also presents the Yichus of the Rasha to his discredit.
Ramban (in Pasuk 12) and Seforno: To inform us that Pinchas deserved the great reward that he received by killing a prince in Yisrael and the daughter of a great Nochri king, without fear of reprisals by their families for his zealousy. 1
Da'as Zekenim (in Pasuk 15) and Hadar Zekenim: To teach us that they were powerful, and Pinchas very much needed Hashem's assurance (to protect him). 2
Ramban: And following the reward that the Tzadik received, Hashem commanded Moshe to punish the Midyanim (in Pesukim 16, 17), after counting those that remained after the plague.
Ramban: Just like He told Avraham "Al Tira Avram" (Lech L'cha Bereishis, 15:1) to protect him after he killed the four kings.
Why does the Torah insert the Yichus of Zimri and Kozbi here and not in Balak, when they sinned?
Seforno: In praise of Pinchas, who killed them in spite of the danger involved in killing two princes who eac had a large following.
What was the status of Zimri?
Rashi #1: He was one of the five heads of family of the tribe of Shimon. 1
Rashi #2 (in Sanhedrin 82b: He was alias Shelumi'el ben Tzurishadai (the Nasi of the entire tribe at the beginning of Bamidbar) and Sha'ul ben ha'Cana'anis. 2
But not of the entire tribe ? See Sifsei Chachamim. Refer also to 25:11:1:1 & 25:14:2:2 and note. See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
Aderes Eliyahu (in Devarim, 29:17): Chas ve'Shalom!The Tzadik Shlumi'el was not the same Neshamah as Zimri! Rather, the sin stemmed from Sha'ul ben ha'Cana'anis
What is the significance of the name Zimri ben Salu (whose real name was Sh'lumiel ben Tzurishaday?
Sanhedrin, 82b: He was called "Zimri", because it contains the same letters as "Mazri, 1 with reference to the multiple times he reached an orgasm with Kozbi - which turned him into a "Beitzah Muzeres", a beaten egg; and "Salu" because he caused Hashem to examine the deeds of his family- 'she'Hisli Avonos shel Mishpachto'. 2
Why does the Torah stop at Shimon, and not insert Ya?akov?
Rashi: Refer to Bereishis, 49:1:1.
Why is Shimoni written Chaser (minus a 'Vav')?
R. Chaim Paltiel: A Midrash extrapolates from this that Shimon lost the princehood; From now on, no king or Shofet came from Shimon. 1
R. Chaim Paltiel lists Shoftim or kings from all the Shevatim, except for Shimon, Reuven and Gad (they were all in the same Degel). Perhaps it is not such a Chidush regarding Gad and Reuven, since they lived in Eiver ha'Yarden. (PF)
