Parshat Pinchas - Proper Zeal
by Rabbi Lobel

(Numbers; Chapter 25 Verse 12) "Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aaron the Kohen turned back my (G-D) wrath from upon the Children of Israel, when he zealously avenged my vengeance among them, so I did not destroy the Children of Israel in my vengeance."

Zimri the son of Salu, one of the princes of the tribe of Shimon, was acting publicly in a indecent manner with a Midianite noble woman, Cazbi daughter of Zur. Zimri's actions instigated the Jewish nation to act promiscuously with the daughters of Moab . Pinchas, with his spear, killed Zimri and Cazbi. Those connected to Zimri, either by acting indecently or by not protesting, were killed by a plague. Twenty-four thousand people died. It was not until Pinchas protested with his spear that the plague halted. Pinchas was given credit for being the lone individual who was willing to stand against one of the princes of Israel. His zealous action atoned for Israel .

Pinchas risked his own life by publicly killing Zimri and Salu. The Sforno, on the verse, comments that Pinchas' intention of acting publicly was that all those uninvolved in this lude act should witness him protest; so that they would be forgiven for not protesting themselves. And because of his public protest, all were forgiven.

Pinchas stood up for the word of G-d to save others. His act of zealousness to protest was not out of anger, it was out of love. It was true zeal so that his brethren would be forgiven. It is hard enough to properly protest against actions that are wrong. It is truly an act of valor to use zeal and protest out of love with the intention that not only would the wrongdoers stop their actions but also so that their actions and the silent bystanders are forgiven.