Revenge in the Torah: Pinchas and Dina

Several weeks ago, following the horrific murder of an Arab teenager by Jews, allegedly in revenge for the abduction and killing of three Jewish teenagers, Rabbi Ari Enkin, rabbinic director, United with Israel, began a discussion on the topic of revenge according to the Torah, demonstrating that it is strictly forbidden.

By Rabbi Ari Enkin, rabbinic director, United with Israel

For those unfamiliar with the story in the Bible, Pinchas was the Jewish hero who took revenge against Cozbi, the Midianite princess, and Zimri, Jewish prince, who decided to conduct themselves in a very public and immoral manner…after confirming to Moses that their intentions were indeed sinful!

Many men among the Jewish people at the time were acting immorally with Midianite women, and they even began worshiping their Gods. Furious at the behavior of these men, to say the least, God set off a plague that killed 24,000 Jews.

Observing the pandemonium, Pinchas took his spear and thrust it through Cozbi and Zimri while they were in the midst of the sinful act. This humbled the people, and the plague ceased. God immediately praised this act of revenge by Pinchas, halted the plague and rewarded Pinchas “with the covenant of peace.”

Revenge is the Exclusive Domain of God

The question is asked: Why was Pinchas praised for taking revenge if Scripture teaches that revenge is the exclusive domain of God?

The Talmud explains that Pinchas’ action was essentially wrong and sinful. He had no authority or precedent to murder two people just because they were acting immorally. As such, God had to ‘personally’ come out and publicly praise Pinchas’ unprecedented action.

In this specific case, Pinchas was justified acting as he did because God’s name was being desecrated by the rampant immorality and idol worship among Jews.

The commentators and authorities are clear: The case of Pinchas was a one-time exception to the rule. It remains forbidden for people to engage in acts of revenge.

The story of Dina (Genesis 34) is another episode that could mistakenly distort the proper perception we should have regarding acts of revenge.

Overlooking modern-day Shechem and Joseph’s Tomb. (Photo: United with Israel)

Shechem, the son of Chamor, who was the mayor of the town of Shechem (modern-day Nablus), kidnapped Dina, the daughter of Jacob, and raped her. Dina’s brothers (those who became the leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel) were furious. They devised a plan to trick the Shechemites into believing that they weren’t angry and actually desired to intermarry with them and become one nation.

The brothers told the people of Shechem that if the all the males circumcised themselves, the Jewish people would intermarry with them and unite as one nation. The residents of Shechem readily agreed and promptly cooperated. While they were recuperating, and understandably weak and in pain, two of Dina’s brothers, Shimon and Levi, went and slaughtered the entire city.

Act of Revenge Angered Jacob for Many Years

Jacob, their father, was very angry about it. The brothers defended themselves by saying, “Should we allow our sister to be viewed as a prostitute?” The story ends there.

How are we to understand this story? Was the act of Simon and Levi in killing the people of the town an act of revenge? Were their actions justified?

The commentators are divided on the interpretation of the brothers’ action as well as on Jacob’s reaction. That said, it is noted that Jacob remained angry at his sons for many years. In fact, he even cursed Shimon and Levi on his deathbed!

Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), also known as Nachmanidies, argues that the brothers were wrong for their actions. They had no right to take revenge and murder an entire city for the acts of a few people. Even the commentators who defended the brothers asserted that revenge is forbidden, but in this particular case, their act was not one of revenge. Rather, it is explained that the attack on the people of Shechem was justified because they were deserving of the death penalty under Noahide law (the basic laws of morality binding on all mankind) for not condemning the rape of Dina. Indeed, the punishment for violating Noahide law is often capital punishment.

Ultimately, the ruling remains: “Revenge belongs to the Lord!” (Psalms 93:1).