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Zealotry for the Sake of Heaven


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Pinchas: Zealotry for the Sake of Heaven

Pinchas' Lineage

When Pinchas saw a prince from the tribe of Shimon publicly cavorting with a Midianite princess, he took the law into his own hands. Using his spear, Pinchas killed them both. God praised his act of zealotry, rewarding him with the priesthood.

"Pinchas, the son of Elazar the son of Aaron the kohen, was the one who zealously took up My cause among the Israelites and turned My anger away from them." (Num. 25:11)

Why does the Torah need to point out Pinchas' lineage here? This is particularly puzzling, considering that the Torah just identified Pinchas three verses earlier.

The Midrash (Sanhedrin 82b) explains that the tribal leaders mocked Pinchas: "His maternal grandfather (Jethro) fattened up calves for idolatrous sacrifices — and he had the audacity to murder a prince of Israel!"  Therefore, the Torah publicized Pinchas' lineage through his father's side, Aaron the High Priest.

Yet the Midrash requires clarification. Why was it so important to respond to these disparaging comments? Furthermore, what does it help if one of Pinchas' grandfathers was High Priest — his other grandfather was still a reformed idolater!

Pure Motives

Rav Kook explained that the Torah does not ordinarily approve of such acts of zealotry. Only if they were discharged purely for the sake of Heaven are they sanctioned.

Onlookers might have thought that Pinchas acted out of secondary motives. Perhaps he sought to demonstrate his faithfulness, despite a grandfather who was a convert. Therefore, the Torah emphasizes that Pinchas acted as Aaron's grandson. What characterized Aaron? The Sages wrote: "Be a disciple of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving all people and drawing them near to the Torah" (Avot 1:12). Aaron, legendary for seeking the path of peace and reconciliation, would not have been suspect of ulterior motives. Pinchas' action, the Torah emphasizes, was worthy of his illustrious grandfather. He acted as befits the grandson of Aaron the High Priest, with selfless intentions and a pure heart.

(adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol. I, p. 494)

Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison