What prompted the sinner (Zimri) to do what he did?
Rashi (citing Sanhedrin, 82b): He did so when the members of his tribe Shimon, of which he was the Nasi, approached him 1 and asked him why they were being judged with the death-sentence and he was doing nothing about it.
Maharsha in Sanhedrin, 82a ? even though Pasuk 14 implies that he was only the head of one of the families of Shimon, the Gemara teaches us that he was the Nasi of the tribe.
What does the implications of the phrase "Vayakrev el Echav es ha'Midyanis ... "?
Ramban (on Pasuk 5): Either to rebel against Moshe and the judges and to sin publicly, or in response to the members of his tribe. 1
Rashbam: It implies that he took her to his brothers with the express intention of commiting adultery with her. 2
Hadar Zekenim: It implies that whereas the other sinners went out to the women, he brought her tino the camp, and put up a tent there.
Se answer to previous question.
Rashbam: We find that 'Hakravah' refers to Z'nus in Vayikra 18:6.
Who was the "Midyanis"?
Why does the Torah switch from "B'nos Mo'av" - in Pasuk 1 - to "ha?Midyanis"?
Oznayim la'Torah (citing the Ri Avuhav): It was really the Midyanos who sinned 1 - only they pretended to be Mo?aviyos. 2
Refer to 25:6:151:1 & 2.
Oznayim la'Torah: Which explains why Yisrael took revenge from Midyan, and not from Mo'av
Why did the Midyaniyos pretend to be Mo'aviyos?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because they were breaking down the fences that, after the Mabul, the nations of the world had set up against Z'nus and wanted the world to believe that Mo'av were the guilty ones. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborates.
What are the connotations of "Vayakrev ? es ha?Midyanis le'Einei Moshe"?
Rashi: He (grabbed her by the hair - Targum Yonasan, and) brought her to his brothers in front of Moshe and asked him whether he was permitted to marry her. Because if Moshe would say that she is forbidden, who permitted him to marry the daughter of Yisro? 1
See Sifsei Chachamim and Torah Temimah, citing the Yerushalmi Sanheedrin, 6:2 and note 12.
By the episode of the Eigel, Moshe stood up to the entire nation. Why did he not kill the Zimri and Kozbi here?
Rashi: Because Hashem caused him to forget the Halachah - so that Pinchas should come and receive his reward.
Targum Yonasan - Because on account of his anger, he forgot the Halachah.
Which Halachah did Moshe forget?
'ha'Bo'el Aramis. Kana'im Pug'in bo' - If someone has relations with a Nochris, someone who is zealous (for the honor of Hashem) is permitted to kill him. 1
Under certain circumstances - See Sifsei Chachamim, on Pasuk 7.
Why did the people weep at the entrance of the Ohel Mo'ed?
Rashi: Because Moshe forgot the Halachah.
