Zeal is the Deal
Am Yisrael Chai - The People Israel Lives!
Parashat Pinchas, Numbers 25:10-29:40; Haftarah, Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Joe Miterko, Kol Mashiach, Melbourne, FL
Darkness and Light
We are entering the period of the Hebrew calendar known as the Three Weeks. They begin on the 17th day of Tammuz, July 2 this year, a date marking the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans in 69 CE. During this tragic time period, mourning rituals are observed, including no haircuts, weddings or reciting the blessing of Shehechiyanu. All joyous occasions, except for the weekly Shabbat, are prohibited. This time period culminates with the most tragic day of the Jewish calendar, the 9th of the month of Av (July 22-23). Numerous atrocities befell our people on this date, including the fall of the two Temples, first under the Babylonians in 586 BCE and again under the Romans in 70 CE.
As sad as these events are, they should fill us with zeal, especially considering October 7, 2023. We continually need to stand with Am Yisrael, the Jewish people, and not be afraid of the consequences. In a world that is increasing in antisemitism and rage, our “yes” and devotion to God speaks volumes. We are called to be children of light. Isaiah cries out to us, “Come house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of Adonai” (Isa 2:5). Paul also emphasizes to the Ephesians, “For once you were darkness, but now in union with the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:8-10). We must emulate Yeshua, our light, and be zealous for him.
Zeal can take many shapes, forms, and sizes. Below are some examples from our texts. Each contains a hero, a promise, and a unique pathway to living with zeal:
A Covenant of Peace, A Spared Priesthood
This week’s parasha opens with our hero, Pinchas son of Elazar, Aaron’s grandson. The text picks up where portion ends. Israel is going after Moabite women, provoked by the wicked Balaam the diviner. He leads the whole camp to idolatry and severe disobedience toward the covenant. Disturbed greatly, Pinchas thrusts his spear into an Israelite man and Moabite woman in front of the whole camp, and the plague is lifted. Our parasha begins with these words:
Then Adonai spoke to Moses saying, “Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the kohen has turned away My anger from Bnei-Yisrael because he was very zealous for Me among them, so that I did not put an end to Bnei-Yisrael in My zeal. So now say: See, I am making with him a covenant of shalom! It will be for him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood — because he was zealous for his God and atoned for Bnei-Yisrael.” (Num 25:10-13)
For Pinchas, the promise of an eternal priesthood must have brought a huge sigh of relief. This role was nearly stolen from him in Korach’s rebellion. Not only that, but this act of courage brought about atonement for the camp — the plague that killed 24,000 people lifted.
Young Pinchas was not afraid to act, and God was not afraid to answer him. In fact, according to some of our Sages, Pinchas is considered to be the same person as Elijah the Prophet. Not only are both described as being exceedingly zealous for the Lord through their actions, but we also do not read any account of their deaths. Indeed, Pinchas still ministers well into the period of Israel’s judges (see Judges 20:28). Whether they are the same person or not, Pinchas demonstrated his loyalty to Hashem and his commandments through his actions.
A Bold Request, A Spared Family
Later in our parasha, we encounter another act of bravery and zeal. Now the heroes are the five daughters of Zelophehad and the promise is a lasting inheritance. Numbers 27:1-11 records this account. Zelophehad had no son, so his daughters sent a request to Moses to see if they could obtain the family inheritance themselves. Moses brings this request before Hashem, and it is approved.
Can you imagine if the daughters did not ask for this inheritance? The family line could have ended, leaving them humiliated and ashamed. They stirred up courage to ask in this manner and received a good reward.
An Unlikely Prophet, A Spared Promise
Our haftarah speaks about another kohen who had quite an enormous task ahead of him. Our hero is Jeremiah the prophet. He lived in some of the darkest days of the kingdom of Judah, including a bitter exile. Yet, it is this unlikely young hero that Hashem chooses to deliver His word. Jeremiah is afraid and declares, “Alas, Adonai Elohim! Look, I don’t know how to speak! For I’m still a boy!” (Jer 1:6). He thinks that he is unfit and unqualified for this role because of his age. Nevertheless, Hashem said He would guide his mouth in what to say and who to speak with. In spite of his age, Jeremiah committed himself to a life of zeal, speaking God’s truth to Israel and the nations.
If Jeremiah did not take the position as prophet, then we would not have the extraordinary promise that Israel would return from Babylonian captivity and that God would once again have compassion on His people, allowing them to rebuild Jerusalem (see Jer 29). We also would not have the promise of a New Covenant in Jeremiah 31 had Jeremiah said no. Jeremiah had zeal to speak up in difficult times.
Our Yes to Yeshua
As we have seen throughout our texts, zeal can take on a wide variety of forms. It does not mean one must go and pick up a spear . . . consult your local rabbi before doing this! Every moment of every day is a great moment to ask how we can take a stand for Hashem through our actions.
An important act of submission for me was saying yes to teaching Hebrew at Ashreinu School. I often don’t see it when I’m teaching the little ones their Aleph Bet, but the school is a beautiful example of an act of zeal. The world does not want the light of followers of Yeshua, but here we are teaching from generation to generation.
As we turn to the Three Weeks, we mourn about our current state, but we ask God “where can I say ‘Yes’ to You? What is an act of zeal that I can commit to?” He wants us to share in His light and truth.
Thus . . . Zeal is the Deal.
Shabbat Shalom!
Scripture references are from the Tree of Life Version, TLV.