Parashat Pinchas: Between Zealotry and Peace

At the end of the previous parashah, the people began consorting with the daughters of Moab and worshipping foreign gods. God sent a plague that killed thousands. Moses instructed the judges of Israel: “Each of you slay those of his men who attached themselves to Baal-peor.” (Numbers 25:5)

While many wept at the Tent of Meeting, Zimri son of Salu arrived with a Midianite woman and, with brazen audacity, lay with her in full view of everyone. Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, drew a red line – he picked up a spear and killed them both. The plague was halted.

God expressed satisfaction with Phinehas’ act:

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Phinehas, son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the Israelites by displaying among them his passion for Me, so that I did not wipe out the Israelite people in My passion. Wherefore say, Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace: It shall be for him and his descendants after him a pact of priesthood for all time, because he took impassioned action for his God, thus making expiation for the Israelites.’” (Numbers 25:10–13)

Extreme acts for a burning conviction

Zealotry is characterized by an unwillingness to compromise and readiness to commit extreme acts for a burning conviction. A covenant of peace, by contrast, represents willingness to concede so multiple convictions can coexist. Why is the reward for Phinehas’ zealotry a “covenant of peace”?

An early Midrash explains that through his zeal, Phinehas made peace between God and Israel (Midrash Aggadah, Numbers 25:12). Rabbi Moshe Alshich, the celebrated XVI century commentator, elaborates: God repaid Phinehas measure for measure. Because he made peace between Israel and their God, giving life to the people, God granted him a covenant of peace –

a life of peace for him and his descendants.

The insight is profound: sometimes the other side of zealotry is peace. The zealot who proves himself uncompromisingly faithful may be strong enough to mediate and compromise within the boundaries he sets out.

The prophet Elijah

This complex relationship recurs in the story of Elijah, the prophet encountered in this Shabbat’s haftarah. When the cult of Baal spread throughout Israel and drought gripped the land, Elijah staged a dramatic ceremony. He erected altars to both Baal and the Lord and put them to the test: which would be kindled by heavenly fire? Only the Lord’s altar blazed. “The Lord, He is God!” the people cried. Elijah then commanded that the hundreds of Baal prophets be seized and put to death. Following this slaughter, the drought ended.

The parallels to Phinehas are striking. In both stories the people turn to idolatry en masse; punishment comes from above (plague or drought); the zealot acts decisively in killing the perpetrators; the punishment is lifted. Yet in Malachi it is written: “Lo, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of the LORD.” (Malachi 3:23) The Sages explain in the Mishnah that Elijah will come “to make peace in the world” (Eduyot 8:7).

Once again, the zealot arrives to make peace.

The rare true zealot

There may be a profound hint here: it is the zealot who is capable of making genuine peace. Yeshayahu Leibowitz suggested that zealotry is, at its core, reprehensible. Yet there exist rare individuals capable of being zealous in a manner that may be permitted, and at times even desirable. One hallmark of such individuals is that they are capable of both zealotry and covenants of peace.

Only one who is capable of bringing peace may at times be permitted to be a zealot. Those rare zealots in whom God takes pleasure are, at their core, people of peace and brotherhood.

Almost anyone who acts with violence in zealous service of God is simply a murderer. Show me a person who believes anything is permitted for a sacred cause, and I will show you someone to be feared. And yet, once every few centuries, such a Phinehas may appear – one who performs a singular, warranted act of zealotry – and his blessing will be the blessing of peace.

Lior Tal Sadeh is an educator, writer, and author of “What Is Above, What Is Below” (Carmel, 2022). He hosts the daily “Source of Inspiration” podcast, produced by Beit Avi Chai.

For more insights into Parashat Pinchas, listen to “Source of Inspiration”.

Translation of most Hebrew texts sourced from Sefaria.org

 Main Photo: Moab leads Israel into sin