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How could Pinchas act as a zealot yet receive divine approval while Pninah, who tormented Chanah purely l'shem Shamayim to encourage her prayers, was punished? Rashi (רש"י)'s insight that Pinchas acted with God's anger, not his own, reveals the key distinction. Good intentions aren't enough—one must align with divine will rather than personal understanding, even when motivated by righteousness.
This shiur explores the profound lesson from Parshas Pinchas about the nature of true righteousness and proper motivation in serving God. The Torah (תורה) states that Pinchas 'removed God's anger from Israel' by killing Zimri and Kozbi, preventing God from destroying the Jewish people entirely. Unlike other incidents where Moshe prayed and averted destruction, here even Moshe forgot the relevant halacha (הלכה) of 'kana'im pog'im bo' (zealots may strike) until Pinchas reminded him. The Midrash reveals that Pinchas didn't act impulsively but first consulted Moshe, asking if this wasn't the halacha he had learned. Moshe responded that since Pinchas remembered the law, he should carry it out. This challenges our typical understanding of zealousness as emotional, impulsive action driven by passion for God's honor.
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Parshas Pinchas 25:11
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