A Broken Peace (Pinchas)

Parshat Pinchas is one of the most challenging portions of the Torah, dealing with themes of zealotry, violence, and divine approval. Pinchas, a descendant of Aaron the High Priest, witnesses an egregious public sin and takes drastic action by killing the perpetrators with a spear. This act of violence is not only disturbing but also complex in its reception, as it seems to be praised by both God and some Jewish commentators through the generations.

The text reads: “Pinchas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, turned back My wrath from the Israelites by displaying among them his zeal for Me, so that I did not wipe out the Israelite people in My passion. (Num. 25:11)” The passage implies that without Pinchas’ violent intervention, God’s anger would have resulted in the annihilation of the Israelites. This raises profound questions about violence, divine will, and morality.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, addresses such dilemmas in his book Not in God’s Name (2015), where he explores the dangers of religiously motivated violence. While Pinchas’ act is portrayed as a zeal for God, it still sits uncomfortably with us because it involves taking lives in the name of faith.

One of the most striking elements in this narrative is the apparent reward Pinchas receives. In the very next verses, God grants him and his descendants a “covenant of peace” (brit shalom). However, there’s a deeper, more nuanced message embedded in every Torah scroll that demands careful attention. The word “shalom,” the peace with which Pinchas and his descendants are blessed, is written with a broken vav, signifying an incomplete peace. This is unique, as any other broken letter in a Torah scroll would render it unfit for use, yet here it is intentional – required, actually.

This broken vav symbolizes the fractured nature of peace achieved through violence. Pinchas’ zeal, while averting immediate disaster, leaves a lasting mark of brokenness. His act of violence, though seemingly justified, cannot bring about true, whole peace. Instead, it leaves behind a legacy of brokenness, carried by him and his descendants.

This brokenness serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of violence. Even when, out of legitimate indignation, violence feels sanctioned, it fractures the wholeness of any kind of real peace. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once said,

I don’t accommodate myself to the violence that goes on everywhere; I’m still surprised. That’s why I’m against it, why I can hope against it. We must learn to be surprised. Not to adjust ourselves.

This resonates deeply as we reflect on Pinchas’ story. We must remain shocked by violence to cultivate goodness and to strive for a peace that is whole and unbroken.

The events of October 7th, 292 days ago, shocked us all and serve as a stark reminder of the impact of violence. We must resist normalizing it in any form—whether in our language, our actions, or our policies. The broken vav of Pinchas’ peace challenges us to seek a different path, to pursue peace through understanding and empathy.

As we reflect on this Torah portion, let us bless ourselves with the strength to remain thoughtful and mindful in our reactions. Let us be vigilant against the normalization of violence and strive to heal the brokenness in our world. May we take one step at a time towards a peace where everyone can breathe freely, where the broken vav is made whole, and where true shalom can be achieved.