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Numbers 25:11 - Zealous love saves Israel

Numbers 25:11 - במדבר 25:11

Hebrew Text

פִּינְחָס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן הֵשִׁיב אֶת־חֲמָתִי מֵעַל בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּקַנְאוֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִי בְּתוֹכָם וְלֹא־כִלִּיתִי אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּקִנְאָתִי׃

English Translation

Pineĥas, the son of El῾azar, the son of Aharon the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Yisra᾽el, in that he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Yisra᾽el in my jealousy.

Transliteration

Pinchas ben-Elazar ben-Aharon hakohen heshiv et-chamati me'al bnei-Yisrael bekan'o et-kin'ati betocham velo-chiliti et-bnei-Yisrael bekin'ati.

Hebrew Leining Text

פִּֽינְחָ֨ס<sup class="footnote-marker">*</sup><i class="footnote">(בספרי ספרד ואשכנז נהוג לכתוב פִּֽ<small>י</small>נְחָ֨ס ביו״ד זעירא)</i> בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָ֜ר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן הֵשִׁ֤יב אֶת־חֲמָתִי֙ מֵעַ֣ל בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּקַנְא֥וֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִ֖י בְּתוֹכָ֑ם וְלֹא־כִלִּ֥יתִי אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּקִנְאָתִֽי׃
פִּֽינְחָ֨ס*(בספרי ספרד ואשכנז נהוג לכתוב פִּֽינְחָ֨ס ביו״ד זעירא) בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָ֜ר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן הֵשִׁ֤יב אֶת־חֲמָתִי֙ מֵעַ֣ל בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּקַנְא֥וֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִ֖י בְּתוֹכָ֑ם וְלֹא־כִלִּ֥יתִי אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּקִנְאָתִֽי׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Zeal of Pinchas

The verse (Bamidbar 25:11) describes how Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon the Kohen, acted with zealotry (kin'ah) to stop the plague that was afflicting Bnei Yisrael due to their involvement with the daughters of Moav and idolatry. Rashi explains that Pinchas's actions were motivated by a pure desire to defend Hashem's honor, as he witnessed Zimri's public transgression with the Midianite woman. The Torah emphasizes his lineage ("son of Elazar, son of Aharon") to connect his zeal to the legacy of Aharon, who was known for pursuing peace.

The Nature of Pinchas's Zealotry

Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Biah 12:4-5) discusses the halachic principle of kana'im pog'in bo—that one who acts with zealotry in defense of Hashem's honor in specific circumstances (such as Pinchas did) is permitted to take drastic action. However, this is not a blanket permission for vigilante justice; the Rambam stresses that one should not act this way unless the situation precisely mirrors that of Pinchas.

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Pinchas 2): Pinchas's act was not initially accepted by the people, who questioned his motives due to his descent from Yisro (through his mother). Only when Hashem affirmed his pure intentions did they recognize his righteousness.
  • Talmud (Sanhedrin 82a): Pinchas was granted the covenant of peace (bris shalom) as a reward, ensuring that his act of zealotry would not lead to perpetual bloodshed or unrest.

The Turning Away of Divine Wrath

The verse states that Pinchas "turned my wrath away" (heishiv et chamati). The Sforno explains that Pinchas's intervention stopped the plague by addressing the root cause—the public desecration of Hashem's name. His willingness to act when others hesitated demonstrated his deep commitment to kedushah (holiness), which restored balance and averted further punishment.

Legacy of Aharon's Family

By mentioning Pinchas's lineage back to Aharon, the Torah underscores that true zealotry must be rooted in ahavas Hashem (love of G-d) and ahavas Yisrael (love of the Jewish people), as exemplified by Aharon, who pursued peace. The Kli Yakar notes that Pinchas's act was not one of anger but of correcting a breach in the nation's spiritual integrity, aligning with the priestly role of maintaining closeness between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 82a
The verse is discussed in the context of Pinchas's zealous act and its implications for the laws of zealotry.
📖 Zevachim 101b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the priesthood and the lineage of Pinchas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Pinchas and why is he praised in this verse?
A: Pinchas was the grandson of Aharon the High Priest. He is praised in this verse for his zealous action in stopping a public sin that was causing a plague among the Israelites. His intervention turned away God's wrath, saving the nation from further punishment.
Q: What does it mean that Pinchas was 'zealous' for God's sake?
A: Being 'zealous' means Pinchas acted with intense devotion to uphold God's honor when he saw wrongdoing. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 82a) explains he followed the Torah's principles by acting against those publicly transgressing, thereby preventing further desecration of God's name.
Q: Why does the verse mention Pinchas's lineage?
A: The Torah emphasizes Pinchas as 'son of Elazar, son of Aharon' to show he came from a line of priests known for bringing peace (as Aharon loved peace). Rashi explains this counters any claim his act was violent - rather, it was a measured response for God's honor, in keeping with his priestly heritage.
Q: How does Pinchas's action apply to us today?
A: While we don't take physical action like Pinchas, the Rambam (Hilchos De'os 2:7) teaches we should be zealous in opposing public wrongdoing through proper channels - protesting immoral behavior while maintaining justice and compassion, as Pinchas did within Torah law.
Q: What was the 'jealousy' mentioned in the verse?
A: God's 'jealousy' (kinah) refers to His demand for exclusive devotion, as the Jewish people were sinning with idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25:1-3). The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:3) explains this provoked Divine anger until Pinchas restored spiritual order.