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 as the verse proclaims,
“Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aaron the Kohen
turned back my (G-D's) 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 (Numbers
25:12).”
Pinchas risked his own life by publicly
killing Zimri and Cazbi. 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.
Shabbat Shalom
