Why does the Torah present the Yichus of Zimri and Kozbi?
Rashi and R. Bachye: Where the Torah presents the Yichus of the Tzadik to his credit, it also presents the Yichus of the Rasha to his discredit (and to teach us that someone who discredite himself, discredits his family as well - R. Bachye).
Ramban (on 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
Seforno: Refer to 25:4:1.1:1.
Da'as Zekenim (on Pasuk 15) and Hadar Zekenim: To teach us that they were powerful, and Pinchas very much needed Hashem's guarantee 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 thge Yichu 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 #2 (in Sanhedrin 82b: He was alias Shelumi'el ben Tzurishadai (the Nasi of Shimon) and Sha'ul ben ha'Cana'anis (son of Shimon ben Ya?akov). 3
R. Bachye: With him in mind the Pasuk writes in Mishlei ?u?Poretz Geder Yishchenu Nachash? - His grandfather ?put-up a fence? around adultery, when he killed the town of Sh?chem because they turned his sister into a prostitute; and along came his grandson and broke it.
Refer to Bereishis 36:10:1:3 and note 2. See also Ba?al ha?Turim.
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)
