The story of Jephthah and Phinehas is a stark reminder.
We find this tale tucked away in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, and it centers around a difficult legal question. Someone's life hung in the balance, and there was only one man capable of making the right call: the high priest Phinehas.
Now, Phinehas wasn't just any priest. He was a kohen gadol (high priest), the son of a high priest! So, when approached, he scoffed. "What!" he reportedly said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I, a high priest, the son of a high priest, should humiliate myself and go to an ignoramus?!"
Ouch.
But wait, there's more to this tragic dance of ego. Jephthah, the chief of the tribes of Israel, the first prince of the land, was equally stubborn. He reportedly retorted, "What! I, the chief of the tribes of Israel, the first prince of the land, should humiliate myself and go to one of the rank and file!"
So, there they were, two pillars of society, locked in a battle of pride. Neither was willing to humble himself to seek counsel from the other. And the result? A young life was needlessly lost.
The story doesn't end there. According to the legend, their punishment was swift and severe. Jephthah met a gruesome end. Limb by limb, his body was dismembered. A truly horrible death.
And Phinehas? He didn't escape unscathed either. The ruach hakodesh (holy spirit) departed from him, and he was forced to relinquish his priestly dignity. He lost the very thing he held so dear.
What a cautionary tale! All because of pride and unwillingness to set aside ego.
It makes you think, doesn’t it? How often do we let pride get in the way of doing what's right? How often do we refuse to seek help or guidance because we're too afraid to look foolish? The story of Jephthah and Phinehas reminds us that sometimes, the greatest strength lies in humility, and that unchecked pride can have devastating consequences.