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What does "kana es kinasi" mean - that Pinchas felt strongly about God's honor, or something deeper? Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation reveals that Pinchas channeled God's own feelings rather than his own emotions. True zealotry requires understanding divine will through careful halachic deliberation, not impulsive religious fervor.
Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L analyzes the opening of Parshas Pinchas, focusing on the phrase "kana es kinasi" - Pinchas was zealous with my zealotry. He contrasts two interpretations: the simple understanding that Pinchas had strong feelings for God's honor versus Rashi (רש"י)'s deeper explanation that Pinchas felt and acted upon God's own feelings rather than his own. The shiur explores the crucial distinction between acting on one's own religious feelings versus truly understanding and implementing divine will. Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L illustrates this through the story of Peninnah and Channah, citing the Kotzker Rebbe's insight that Peninnah's actions were genuinely l'shem shamayim (for the sake of heaven) yet still constituted wrongdoing. This demonstrates that good intentions alone are insufficient - one must also act correctly.
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Parshas Pinchas 25:11
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