PINCHAS 5777
THE KOTEL, ZEALOTS, AND THE ELUSIVENESS OF PEACE

July 13, 2017
19 Tammuz 5777

Phineas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aaron, turned My venomous anger from the Children of Israel in his being overzealous (on My behalf), therefore I give him My covenant of shalom (peace) [Numbers 25:11, 12].

The zealot lives in a black and white world and is uncompromising in defense of the cause that is at the center of his/her life. Thus the zealot patriot proudly proclaims, "My country right or wrong" and absolutely defends whatever may be its course. What escapes him is the caveat, "if right to be kept right; if wrong to be set right."

The religious zealot, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, brooks no compromise in fulfilling what he is certain is God's will. He does not tolerate any deviation from what he is certain is the Divine will. The religious zealot in relentlessly defending what he claims to be his public space, all too often spawns tension and conflict when his perception of this space impacts upon that of the community at large. It is this scenario that is at the root of the current highly disturbing conflict about the Kotel or Western Wall.

The Israeli cabinet recently voted to revoke or nullify its earlier decision to create a venue adjacent to the Wall where the progressive religious movements could conduct services to their liking. This decision acquiesced to the zealous demands of the religious parties that are in the governing coalition.

Obviously this is more than a local Israeli issue since it dismisses and demeans the religious practices of the overwhelming majority of American Jewry. Thus the dire warnings that this decision inevitably adds to an ever widening wedge between our two communities.

This concern was recently addressed and cavalierly dismissed by Rabbi David Lau, Israel's Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi. He contends that 85% of American Jews have never set foot in Israel and he insists there is religious pluralism in Israel since no Jew is prevented from standing before the Wall. He defends this position without addressing the fact that only those who adhere to the religious standards defined by his very orthodox zealotry are welcome to stand there.

I suspect Rabbi Lau and his constituents and allies find support for their policies and actions in Phimeas' act of killing Zimri, head of the tribe of Simeon, and Cuzbi, the Midianite Princess who openly and brazenly profaned the Holy of Holies. While the Talmud and later commentators debate whether Phineas acted appropriately by summarily executing this couple, the Biblical text clearly defends and extols this act of religious zealotry. Hence God blesses him with the gift of Brit Shalom. Yet this peace acquired through Phineas' violent act of zealotry is followed by the command to wage war and destroy the Midianites who were responsible for the outbreak of idolatry and cultic prostitution that motivated Phineas' action. (Numbers 25: 16-18) Sadly the blessing of peace was and remains frustratingly elusive.

It may be that Rabbi Lau and his overly zealous compatriots that hold fast to religious principles that make no allowance for other interpretations of God's will, believe they have purified the holy precincts of the Western Wall. Regrettably they seemingly overlook the Talmud's insistence that although the schools of Hillel and Shammai often disagreed on the proper religious practices, both are nonetheless true to God's word. This profound teaching embracing both Hillel and Shammai not only rejects religious zealotry, it also affirms that mutual acceptance and respect are essential ingredients for those who wish to achieve the covenant of peace.

Arriving at a true peace in the struggle surrounding the Western Wall will elude us until space is made for Jews with differing points of view to stand before this holy site and to pray as their conscience dictates. There is much wisdom in embracing the challenge and the simple mantra of "I'm okay, you're okay."

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From Jerusalem, my best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach – a Shabbat of peace and of blessing.

Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman