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Why did the tribes criticize Pinchas for killing Zimri, questioning his Yisro lineage? The shiur reveals that Hebrew 'kinah' means both zealousness and jealousy—they suspected his motivation was resolving personal idolatrous struggles rather than protecting Jewish unity. Hashem (ה׳)'s response emphasizing his Aharon lineage confirms true zealousness serves community harmony, not personal catharsis.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes a puzzling Rashi (רש"י) commentary on why the Torah (תורה) mentions Pinchas's lineage from both Yisro and Aharon HaKohen after he killed Zimri and Cosbi. The tribes criticized Pinchas, saying his maternal grandfather Yisro had previously served idols, questioning his authority to kill a Jewish leader. Rabbi Zweig asks three fundamental questions: Why mention Yisro negatively when converts shouldn't be reminded of their past? How does ancestry affect the correctness of Pinchas's actions? And why did only Pinchas act when his deed clearly saved the Jewish people from divine destruction? The analysis reveals that in Hebrew, the word 'kinah' means both zealousness and jealousy, suggesting a psychological connection. Rabbi Zweig draws parallels to contemporary examples: reformed smokers who zealously campaign against smoking, or the sheriff who crusaded against adult entertainment while secretly frequenting such establishments. The insight is that people often become most vocal against behaviors they themselves struggle with internally.
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Parshas Pinchas, Numbers 25:10-13
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