In this week’s Parsha, we meet Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon HaKohen, at a time of national crisis. After Bilaam fails to curse Bnei Yisrael, he incites the women of Moav and Midian to seduce the men, leading to a deadly plague that kills 24,000. In the midst of this breakdown, Zimri, a leader from Shevet Shimon, publicly brings a Midianite woman into the camp in defiance. The leaders are silent. Moshe does not respond. At that moment, Pinchas rises, takes a spear, and kills them both. His shocking act halts the plague and sparks controversy. But the Torah responds with clarity: “Behold, I give him My covenant of peace… because he was zealous for his G-d” (Bamidbar 25:12–13). Hashem affirms that Pinchas acted not out of anger or pride, but with moral courage.
Moral courage is defined as the ability to act on one’s ethical convictions even when doing so may carry a personal cost. A group of researchers describe moral courage as a response to situations where a person perceives a violation of moral principles and acts to uphold those principles even at risk to themselves. It means standing up when silence would be easier. As Einstein said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Pinchas didn’t look away. He stepped up.
Chazal offer deep insight into Pinchas’ actions. The Chizkuni notes that he stepped in only when no one else acted on Moshe’s command. The Siftei Chakhamim, quoting Gemara in Sanhedrin, cites miracles that enabled him to succeed without impurity or backlash. Despite this, Pinchas faced criticism for his lineage. Rashi records that the tribes disparaged him for his lineage, from his maternal side, prompting the Torah to connect him to Aharon HaKohen, clarifying that his zeal was not foreign to the priestly tradition but aligned with it. The Ramban explains that Pinchas was given Hashem’s covenant of peace as a reward for his moral courage. His act brought atonement and halted the wrath that had broken out against the people. Far from a rogue vigilante, Pinchas was the only one who saved countless lives by stepping in when everyone else froze. Rav Kook, in Orot HaKodehs, teaches that zeal is powerful but must be purified. When driven by ego or jealousy, it is harmful—but when rooted in love of Hashem and for the sake of Heaven, it becomes holy. Only Hashem can judge true intent, and in Pinchas’s case, He affirmed that his zeal brought shleimut. That’s why Pinchas was rewarded not with conflict, but with peace and inner wholeness.
As Jews, we do not make decisions based solely on emotion or social pressure. We live by a code. That code is the Torah. It is not merely a set of rituals or customs, but a moral framework that shapes our values, our choices, and our courage. Moral courage is not just a psychological concept. It is a Torah obligation. The Torah guides us to speak up when injustice occurs, to act when others hesitate, and to uphold sacred values even when doing so is unpopular or difficult. As Jews, we don’t act based on instinct or popularity. It governs not only how we pray and eat, but how we act when morality is under threat. The Torah is our blueprint for moral courage.
This aligns with the CODE model developed by Dr. Vicki Lachman for cultivating moral courage:
- C – Courage to be moral: What is the right thing to do?
- O – Obligations to honor: What values guide me — am I faithful to the Torah?
- D – Danger management: What are the fears I must overcome to act?
- E – Expression and action: What concrete step must I take to uphold my integrity?
Pinchas lived this model before it ever had a name. He was willing to stand alone, to risk his name, his future, and his physical safety — all to uphold Kiddush Hashem and protect the nation’s spiritual integrity.
Three tips to Strengthen Moral Courage
- Anchor Yourself in Torah Values
Moral courage starts with moral clarity. Pinchas acted not from impulse but from conviction, grounded in the values of the Torah. Before facing hard decisions, study the values that matter. Live them in small ways, so they will hold you in big moments.
- Refine Your Intentions
Ask: Is my drive to act coming from love or from ego? Am I defending Hashem's honor or my own pride? Pinchas was only able to receive a covenant of peace because his zeal was for Hashem, not himself.
- Be Willing to Stand Alone
- The Da’at Zekenim explains that the Torah repeats Pinchas' genealogy to teach that far from being a criminal, he was a savior. If he hadn’t acted, many more would have died. Sometimes, being right means being unpopular — and being willing to walk alone with Hashem.
Hashem rewarded Pinchas with a covenant of peace not because he avoided conflict, but because he engaged with courage and purity of heart. We may not face the dramatic situations that Pinchas did, but we are constantly faced with moments where silence feels safer, where compromise feels easier, and where fear can paralyze us. May we have the strength to act with moral clarity, the humility to examine our motives, and the courage to live by the code of Torah even when it is hard. May our actions bring healing, integrity, and shalom into our lives and the lives of others.