Pinchas ben Elazar confronts us with a profound question about extremism in Israeli society today. His zealous act saved the people from divine wrath and even earned him a covenant of peace — it seems the Torah wants us to learn from him. Yet today we know that supporting acts of violence, especially religious fanatical violence, only leads to dangerous radicalization and polarization.
So what does this portion come to teach us?
Pinchas’s troubles were from heaven, and his salvation was also from heaven. Today our troubles are of our own making, and therefore a different solution is required. We must save ourselves through genuine dialogue and not through the sword.
Especially during the Three Weeks when we mourn the destruction that came from baseless hatred, I pray for the people of Israel that we may merit the rebuilding of our society — one that compromises neither on justice nor on peace.
