Ethical Teachings of the Torah

"He Zealously Made My [G-d's] Rights Valid" (Bamidbar 25:11) - Part 4b

The priesthood was given only to Aharon and his sons and their future descendants; Pinchas being already a grandson was therefore not anointed together with his (grandfather,) father and uncles. However, the whole tribe of Levi attained their spiritual rank and status as a result of their zealous act against those worshiping the Eigel (golden calf). So too, Pinchas for his zealotry against Ba’al Pe’or was raised to the priesthood by acting as a Kohen, showing the way to the atoning devotion which the Kohanim in the Mishkan and in the Temple symbolically performed.

The covenant of everlasting priesthood for Pinchas, was realized by the fact that all the high-priests during Bayit Rishon were his descendants (Divrei Hayim Alef 5:39-41) while the same was true in Bayit Sheini (Sifri).

However, for many years the nation did not accept him as worthy of that rank. How could a Kohen who has caused death be a source of blessing for the people? Many years after the conquest of the Land, internal war threatened because of the altar that the “two and a half” tribes across the Yarden had built. Yehoshua thought that they wished to separate themselves from the House of Israel but Pinchas made peace between the tribes. That act of peacemaker of the zealot, led Israel to recognize the priesthood that was his reward.

“We have shown that according to the halacha, a Kohen who has only one hand may not go up for Birkat Kohanim. [Conceptually and spiritually] why are two hands necessary for blessing the people?  This is because each hand has a different purpose. While the right hand of the Kohen is for drawing people closer together, his left one keeps the wrongdoers at a distance, thus permitting true peace. It is this true peace that is the essence of Birkat Kohanim” (Avnei Nezer of Sochochow).

Zealotry balanced by Peace.

• Other Ethical Teachings of the Torah
• Today is the Birthday of the World, whether as Children or as Servants [2] by Dr. Meir Tamari
• Funding Social Costs - Taxation [2]
• THE CHALLENGE OF MONEY - Funding Social Costs - Taxation [1]