The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Pinchas

The Rebbe says:

1. This week’s Torah portion tells us the famous story regarding Pinchas (Phinehas) and how he killed Zimri the prince of the tribe of Shimon (Simeon), thereby pleasing Hashem greatly Who declared that Pinchas deserves a reward for, “zealously avenging My vengeance”.

2. Our Sages tell us regarding the Oral Law (Torah Shebal Peh) that “it is impossible for scholars of the Study Hall to conduct a session without expounding a novel teaching”. If this is the case regarding the Oral Law, surely regarding the Written Law (Torah Shebichsav), from which our Sages learn numerous laws from even one letter, there must be a novelty in the story of Pinchas.

(3. Here is a summary of the story about Pinchas which is told at the end of last week’s Torah portion (Parshas Balak):

The children of Israel were sinning against Hashem by being promiscuous with the daughters of Moab and Midian and bowing down to their idols. The wrath of Hashem flared up and He commanded that all of the wayward leaders of the people should be hung, while He sent a plague that took the lives of the rest of the sinners.

The tribe of Shimon (Simon) then ran to their leader named Zimri the son of Salu and complained. Zimri then went in front of the entire assembly of the Jewish people, including Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon Hakohen (Aaron the High Priest), and while holding a Midianite woman said to Moshe Rabbeinu, “Is this woman permitted to me or not? And if you will say that she is not, then who allowed you (Moshe) to take your wife Ziporah who is also from Midian!?”. Zimri then went into his tent with this Midianite woman and had relations.

The law concerning what to do with Zimri was concealed from Moshe Rabbeinu, however Pinchas, who was the grandson of Aharon Hakohen, remembered that Moshe Rabbeinu had taught him that if a man has relations with a non-Jewish woman a zealot may kill him. Pinchas then went (with the permission of Moshe Rabbeinu) and simultaneously thrust a spear through Zimri the prince of the tribe of Shimon and this Midianite woman (who was actually the daughter of the Midianite king at that time). This act of zealousness for Hashem pleased Him greatly and He stopped the plague which He had sent on the Jewish people.

[Editors note: Moshe Rabbeinu was allowed to marry a Midianite woman because he married her before the Torah was given and it was allowed then. For more on this subject see Likutei Sichos volume eighteen, Parshas Balak]).

4. Clearly, the novelty in the story of Pinchas is the fact that “even though the Halachah (Jewish law) is a certain way, the Beis Din (Jewish court) will not rule so in practice”, and that “One who cohabits with a Cuthean woman- ‘A zealot may kill him’”.

This means that there are certain things which a Beis Din will tell a person not to do because this is what it says in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law). However, the same Shulchan Aruch also says that, “A zealot may kill him”, and therefore if he doesn’t go to Beis Din and ask what the law is, rather, he does what his inner Soul tells him to do- he still acted in accordance with Halachah and Hashem’s will.

However, this does not apply to any Mitzvah (commandment). Generally, one does have to go to Beis Din to find out how to conduct himself in every area of his life. However, when it comes to certain things, like the zealousness of Hashem, then we say, “A zealot may kill him”. This is like our Sages tell us that whoever wastes time and asks Beis Din whether he is allowed to do something for a deathly ill person is someone who spills blood! In other words, our Sages feel that the other person’s deathly sickness should have affected you to your core and you should’ve acted to save his life without taking the time to ask if this was ok. The same thing applies to someone who is in a situation where his pure zealousness for Hashem is aroused; this reaches his core and he doesn’t have time to ask whether or not it’s ok to act on behalf of Hashem. Furthermore, even though he knows that if he would go to Beis Din they would tell him not to act, still he acts on behalf of Hashem’s zealousness, and this is in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch which says, “A zealot may kill him”.

5. The Rebbe now develops this point in more detail and explains this novel law:

The Talmud tells us that, “One does not sin unless a spirit of folly overcomes him”. This is because a Jew’s core is always one with Hashem, like the Alter Rebbe says, “A Jew does not want, and cannot, become separated from G-dliness”. Only because of the animal inside of him does he sin. Therefore, when a person sheds away this animal cloak and is only left with his pure Soul- his zealousness for Hashem is real and true, and we can be sure it is not because of his honor or the honor of his father’s house.

6. The Rebbe now brings this explanation back to the original story of Pinchas:

The above explanation also sheds light on the fact that the plague stopped and many thousands of Jewish people were saved when Pinchas “zealously avenged My zealousness” and thrust a spear through Zimri and the Midianite woman: Not only was it not a bad thing for Pinchas to take matters into his own hands, it was a showing of pure connection with Hashem. And this is why Pinchas (who was a reincarnation of Elijah the Prophet), was rewarded to be at every Bris Milah (circumcision) which shows the connection between a Jew and his Maker, and he will be the one to announce the redemption.

7. The Rebbe now explains the pertinence of this to our days now:

Today is also a time of a plague. One can clearly see how many Jews all over the world are lost from Judaism and follow a twisted path which brings them to be opponents of Hashem and His Torah, Heaven Forbid. Therefore, at a time like this, when Jewish boys and girls can be lost from Judaism, Heaven Forbid, you don’t have to go to Beis Din and ask them if you are allowed to give up an hour of your learning for this! We must act!

At a time like this every Jew must light up the zealousness in his Soul through learning the inner part of Torah and go out to other Jews and inspire them to return to their Father in Heaven.

You don’t have to engage in philosophical debates because during a fire you don’t have time to discuss the issue. We must speak Soul-stirring words which talks to the core of the Jew and lights up his own flame, and this will bring Pinchas to come and announce our ultimate redemption.

Translated and adapted by Shalom Goldberg. Taken from Likutei Sichos volume two, second Sicha.