תהלים, פרק ק״ו, פסוק ל׳

In a moment of dramatic crisis, a single individual steps forward from the crowd to take decisive action, saving the nation from complete destruction. Phinehas's intervention is a powerful blend of strict justice, religious zeal, and intense prayer. He rises from the congregation to take action [מצודת דוד]. At the same time, this act of standing is viewed as an expression of prayer, much like how Abraham stood when he established the morning prayer [תורה תמימה].

The core of his action follows two paths that complete each other: executing judgment and crying out to God. The primary approach among commentators is that his deed was one of carrying out strict justice in a severe matter [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון]. Phinehas took the law into his own hands [ביאור שטיינזלץ], judging the sinner for public adultery and carrying out a death sentence [מאירי]. He applied the law that allows a zealot to strike someone who commits such a public offense. He made this ruling right in front of Moses, his teacher, showing that when God's honor is at stake, a person does not pause to show respect to a teacher. At that specific time, Moses felt powerless and had forgotten the law [אלשיך].

Another tradition views his action as a form of intense prayer and debate with God. Phinehas did not merely punish the sinners; he argued with his Creator. He cast the sinners before God and cried out, asking if twenty-four thousand Israelites should fall because of these people. Because of this powerful prayer, the priests were granted a permanent gift of the jaw from future animal sacrifices [תורה תמימה].

Following his bold action, the deadly plague was prevented and stopped [מצודת ציון]. While his physical success actually depended on a series of open miracles from God, such as angels assisting him and his weapon remaining firmly in his grip, the plague was stopped simply by his initial decision to defend God's honor and pursue justice [אלשיך, תורה תמימה].