The Zeal of Pinchas (HaKwaunau Piynkaus)

The key to understanding an action labeled as an act of zeal, resides not only in consideration of the type of spirit motivating the pursuit of the objective, but also contemplation of the actual objective itself.

For those of us living set apart ("holy") to Elohey YisraEL[1], the objectives we pursue must always be directed from above, otherwise we are not operating in a set apart way. The path we take to achieve the objective is important. But the attitude that brings forth our walk on that path is of utmost importance.

The word Kwaunau is used in the scripture above to describe the state of mind of Piynkaus (Pinchas), as he observed Zimriy Ben Sauluu (Zimri the son of Salu) N'Siy/Prince of the house of Shimon (Simeon) galivanting with Khauzbiy (Cozbi) the daughter of Tzur (Zur), who himself was a chief head over a people in Midyaun (Midian).

"Zeal" is defined as by merriam-webster.com as " 'extreme vigor or energy in pursuit of an objective or course of action". And extreme? It’s defined as “exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected.” Vigor or energy, in this case, is equivalent with ruakh or “spirit”. So zeal is an extraordinary ruakh/spirit in pursuit of an objective. But whether that zeal is tov (good) or ra (bad) we must look to the objective, and how one pursues it.

In the case of Piynkaus (Pinchas) son of Eleazar, the Khohen Gadol, we know that he thrust the spear between the bodies of Zimri and the Midianitish woman as they embraced in passion– and many readers can’t understand why his actions were righteous – outside of seeing that he was blessed for them. But there was much in the details that informs us of the reasons why.

Firstly, he was not blessed because he killed a man. We know the commandments of The Eternal forbid us from taking the life of an Ak (brother). He was in fact blessed because he was told to do it and he followed through without hesitation. Let's look a little deeper.

If we take a look at Bmidbar (Numbers) 25:4-5  we witness the commandment came from above from The Eternal One of Yisrael - for Mosheh to have all of the Raushey (Chiefs) of those committing harlotry hanged towards the direction of the rising sun after they adjoined themselves to baal of peor. (Bmidbar/Numbers 25:4-5) Mosheh did as commanded. He delegated the responsibility to his reportees; telling the Shoftey YisraEl (Judges of Yisrael) to carry out the order. If you recall, within the structure of the Shoftiym the Khohaniym were at the top level closes to Mosheh and Mosheh only dealt with those matters that the others could not address. Piynkas (Pinchas) being son of the Khohen Gadol (High Priest) was by default, one of the chief judges of Yisrael. So he would have been empowered to carry out the act with the rest of the Shoftiym (Judges).

Directly following the command, the people of YisraEL were congregated at the sacred opening of the Ohel Mo’ed (tent of meeting), weeping, more than likely seeking mercy and forgiveness due to the word of judgment that went out previously. As the people wept at this sacred set apart space in the community (the central most place), Nasi Zimri, a prince of one of the powerful families in the tribe of Shimon (Simeon) was not only spotted moving about casually near the set apart space, unhumbled and unbothered by the judgement while the people wept, but also brought to his brothers a woman of Midian in the sight of Mosheh and the entire Adath YisraEL.   

Khoheyn Piynkas (Pinchas) seeing this as blatant disrespect and unfathomable apathy from a chief man amongst the people, became overcome with righteous indignation, having already received the command from Mosheh earlier, and carried out the execution.  He did not act out of control or out of emotion detached from the order. He was empowered to do so and carried out the act without hesitation.

For this, was he was blessed, not only with a Briyth Shalom (Covenant of Peace), but was also designated as the one by which the people of Yisrael would rely on for the atonement ritual in the set apart 7^th Kodesh (monthly cycle) as part of the most sacred Yom Ha Kippuriym (Day Of The Atonement) rites.  

By no means is the story encouraging us to kill or even harm people we “think” are stepping outside of the ways of our forefathers. Rather, it’s telling us to be in order, and to follow commands of said order with passion and a sense of urgency. It reminds us that hesitation reduces the chance of fulfillment. And further more it instructs us to complete the job for not fulfilling the assignment as instructed from above may equate to us not fully securing the peace that the end result is set up to achieve.

So may we be good stewards as Piynkas (Pinchas), and good sons (and daughters) that are obedient to the will of our Fathers. May we not hesitate when given a command by Him, and have a sense of urgency, so that we too can enter into a Briyth Shalom!

Peace be to you. Peace be to your house. And peace be unto all that is yours! Shalom Shalom!

Bn Shmû ÉL is a loyal son, a committed father, founder of HaDBR Media, Chief Editor at Bn Shmû ÉL Publishing House, and author of The Land Of Milk and Honey: The Heart Of The World. https://www.bn-shmu-el.com/shop .

[1] The Eternal One of Yisrael – aka The Power of YisraEL