Zimri, a prince of the tribe of Shimon, was killed by Pinchas for his illicit relationship with a Midianite woman, Cozbi, during a plague in Israel.
Notable Sources
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Zimri's Downfall Unveiled
TANAKH
Zimri's high rank and his sin highlight the gravity of his actions and the significance of Pinchas' response. The Torah identifies Zimri as the son of Salu and a chieftain of a Simeonite ancestral house, emphasizing his status and the impact of his transgression.
The Many Faces of Zimri
COMMENTARY
Zimri is a complex biblical figure with multiple identities, as identified by the rabbis. The 13th-century Torah commentary Chizkuni identifies Zimri with Shlumiel and Saul, drawing on Talmudic sources to reconcile these figures.
From Zealotry to Moral Decline
COMMENTARY
The tribe of Shimon's transformation from Shimon's zealotry against impurity to Zimri's zealotry in defense of impurity illustrates a significant moral decline. Rabbi Francis Nataf contrasts the development of the tribe of Shimon with the parallel development of the tribe of Levi.
Transgression for the Sake of Heaven
TALMUD
A transgression performed for the sake of Heaven can be greater than a mitzva performed not for its own sake. The Talmud in tractate Horayot compares the actions of Tamar and Zimri, illustrating the differing outcomes of their seemingly similar transgressions.
Divine Orchestration in the Punishment of Zimri
COMMENTARY
Moses' temporary forgetfulness of the correct procedure to punish Zimri was divinely orchestrated to allow Pinchas to take initiative and earn his reward. Rabbeinu Bachya, a 13th-century Spanish commentator, explains the divine reasoning behind Moses' momentary lapse in judgment during the incident with Zimri and Cozbi.
The Dual Identity of Zimri
MIDRASH
Zimri's dual identity as Achan reveals the profound consequences of his actions and the reasons behind his two names. Ein Yaakov, the early 16th-century compilation of teachings from the Talmud, including the story of Zimri/Achan.
A Challenge to Authority
TARGUM
Zimri's confrontation with Moshe highlights the complexities of leadership and the challenges of maintaining authority in the face of personal accusations. The Targum Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Torah, provides additional narrative details to the events described in the Book of Numbers, particularly the incident involving Zimri and Cozbi.
The Limits of Zealotry
HALAKHAH
The laws of zealotry, as exemplified by the story of Zimri, provide a unique perspective on the limits and responsibilities of taking justice into one's own hands. In the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides outlines the specific conditions under which a zealous person may act against a transgressor, emphasizing the legal and procedural guidelines that must be followed.
Distancing from Sin
COMMENTARY
Jacob's name was deliberately omitted from Zimri's lineage to distance him from the sinful actions of the Simeonites with the Midianite women. This modern analysis explores the significance of lineage and moral conduct in Jewish tradition, particularly in the context of the incident at Shittim.
The Impact of Individual Actions
JEWISH THOUGHT
The actions of a single individual can have profound consequences for the entire community. In his medieval work, Rabbi Isaac Arama explores the contrasting deeds of Pinchas and Zimri to illustrate the theological and moral implications of individual responsibility within the collective.
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