Parshat Pinchas: To Hell with the Rules

This week’s Torah reading, Pinchas is named for the man who acted decisively, violently and somewhat controversially. As narrated at the end of last week’s Torah portion, a brazen act of rebellion and immorality was directed at Moshe’s leadership in front of the entire Jewish nation. 

The leader of the tribe of Shimon challenged Moshe by asking him, “Hey Moshe, is this Midianite woman permitted or forbidden to me? And if you are going to say, ‘Forbidden’, well, who allowed you to marry the daughter of Yitro (who is a Midianite)?!”

To emphasize his point, he had sexual relations with this woman right there and then. As if that wasn’t bad enough, to make matters worse it took place at the holy  אוהל מועד Tent of Meeting where God would converse with Moshe. Needless to say, this was not a romantic interlude but an in-your-face challenge to Moshe and his position as leader and prophet. 

Everyone witnessing this ultra-chutzpah act was so in shock that they were paralyzed as what to do and how to react. Amidst this confusion that even seized Moshe who seemed at a loss, Pinchas arose and killed the couple on the spot right then and there. His daring action stopped a plague being inflicted on the people by God and God even pronounces a Covenant of Peace for Pinchas.

The Talmud, as quoted by Rashi, lets us in on what transpired right before Pinchas’ bold act. 

“And Pinchas saw…” means he saw the deed and reminded himself of the law. He said to Moshe, “I learned from you, ‘If someone cohabits with a heathen woman (in such a public and brazen fashion) a zealous person has a right to strike him dead (on the spot).’ He (Moshe) replied to him, “Let the one who remembered the law be the agent to carry it out.” So immediately, “He (Pinchas) took a spear in his hand….”

There is much discussion in Jewish texts about Pinchas’ actions and the parameters that would allow for it. Suffice it to say that in Jewish tradition there aren’t too many occasions for vigilante justice. You can’t go around knocking off others whenever you feel morally indignant at them. It is only in very specific circumstances, such as in this particular case.

What seems odd, however, is the curious exchange that took place right beforehand between Pinchas and Moshe, as quoted by Rashi above. Pinchas turns to Moshe and reminds him of what needs to be done – based on what he heard from Moshe himself. But then Moshe punts it back to Pinchas and tells him, “Hey, since you’re the one who remembers the details, then you do it.” It’s as if Moshe is telling Pinchas that this is one of those situations where if you have to ask… well then maybe you ought not to be asking. Just go ahead and do it. And Pinchas did. 

We probably won’t have such dramatic Pinchas moments in the normal course of our lives. But there are occasions when it is better not to ask at all – especially when you know what the answer is likely going to be. And so we are better off just taking matters into our own hands and doing what needs to be done. Those are the times in life when you simply cannot go through the normal channels, ask permission, wait for due process or fill out the necessary forms. Especially when you’re dealing with a bureaucratic mentality where every answer is likely to be “No”. You have to just take the bull by the horns and do what needs to get done – no questions asked.

I recall a few years ago when one of my son’s ears was bothering him and had a doctor look at him. But a few weeks later the other ear started to pain him as well. The doctor who treated him had gone on vacation. I have a friend who is an ENT specialist – but he was also away. I happened to have my annual checkup appointment with my doctor, so I called his office but the receptionist said if my son took my appointment, I would not get another appointment for a few months and no, they could not squeeze him in.

So what did I do? Not listen to her of course. I figured what the heck, I will just take my son along with me and hope for the best. And sure enough my doctor (who happens to be a friend, yes that helped) took a few minutes to look at him and provide a remedy. The bottom line – don’t always listen to the receptionist and her rules. She is just doing her job. And as a parent, I am doing mine and doing whatever I can to make sure my son gets better. 

This is what Moshe was telling Pinchas. No forms, no permission, no “let’s process this and think it through”. This is your show – go for it. Pinchas did and was duly rewarded.

Sometimes – not all the time, but sometimes – we need the zealousness of Pinchas. We need to seize the moment, let our passion for justice, or our parental emotions for our children’s welfare, take hold and break protocol. Break protocol and yes, maybe a few rules too, and do whatever is necessary for something crucial and important to get done.

Those are the times when we cannot simply go by the book, wait and hope. The occasion demands a swift, out-of-the-box decision and action and you have to just plow ahead and do it. There is nothing wrong with that, and in fact it may very well remedy a terrible wrong being committed, as was the case with Pinchas. Or it may simply alleviate the pain in a child’s ear.

Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a rusty sword into his hand
Then striking up a knightly pose
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Till he can shout no more…

Then in a blaze of tangled hooves
He gallops off across the dusty plain
-Gordon Lightfoot