Balak

Numbers 25

In this week’s Torah portion ends with the story of Pinchas and Zimri. Israel had begun to engage in rampant sexual immorality that led to worshiping false gods. The Hebrew term, commonly translated to worship, actually means to bow down, or prostrate. The Moabite women were convincing Israel to worship, to bow down to, their false gods. Hashem’s anger was aroused and a plague came upon Israel.

Zimri brazenly took a Midianite woman into his tent right in front of Moses and the entire congregation. Pinchas, a Kohayn, was enraged. So, he took a spear, and went in after Zimri and the Midianite woman. He skewered them both through the stomach and then the plague ended.

Implicit if the story is the idea that just has Zimri had brazenly acted in front of Moses and the entire congregation of Israe; Pinchas also acted brazenly in front of Moses and the entire congregation of Israel. In other words, Zimri sent a message to Israel, and Pinchas sent the counter message. Zimri’s message was clear, it is perfectly fine to engage with foreign women and become influenced by them to worship idols. Zimri highlighted a practice that Israel was already engaged in an sought to legitimize it. Pinchas sent the opposite message. This practice of engaging for women and being influenced to worship idols was wrong and needed to end. So, Pinchas openly killed Zimri and the plague ended. Message received.

It is important to understand that Pinchas acted after Hashem had brought the plague to the entire congregation of Israel. This was not a matter of Pinchas individually hearing from G-d. This was a matter of Israel hearing from Hashem and not paying attention. Pinchas acted after Hashem had made it perfectly clear to Israel the problems with their behavior.. Zimri sought to legitimize the problem so Pinchas acted. Hashem indicates that Pinchas’ action was right and just, therefore, the plague ended. To this day we describe someone who is acting hypocritically as behaving like Zimri wishing to be rewarded like Pinchas. Shabbat shalom.