Reincarnation

The subject of גלגול נפשות, or reincarnation, is very prominent in this week's Parsha, Pinchas. It is a very controversial subject as true "Litvaks", or Lithuanian Jews, emphatically rule out that such a possibility exists.

Some dismiss reincarnation because it is way beyond our comprehension, while others simply do not believe in it.

The Chassidic and Sephardic Jews who are more connected to the mystical, do accept the notion of גלגול נפשות. It is difficult to ignore it when the subject appears over and over again in Midrashim and classic Jewish literature.

The general accepted idea is that Pinchas and Eliyahu Hanavi were the same soul. It says clearly, פנחס זה אליהו. The Haftarah for this week is about אליהו הנביא and both by Pinchas and Eliyahu the word קנאה, zealotry, is used. They were both zealous in fighting for the honor of Hashem.

The של״ה הקודש goes even a step further. He says that the soul of Pinchas left him when the tribe of Shimon came after him for killing their leader, Zimri. At that point the souls of Nadav and Avihu were still hovering and they entered Pinchas and restored life to him. They got their wish and on a soul level, later became the Kohein Gadol.

Generally, we are careful about Midrashic literature. If studying it increases one's faith and closeness to Hashem, study it. If, on the other hand, it confuses, leave it for now and perhaps coming back to it at a later time will provide the desired effects.