It’s a powerful feeling. But what happens when that zeal, that kinah, turns inward, corrupting the very people who sought to uphold justice?

Let's turn to a fascinating passage in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer (Chapter 47), a beautiful and sometimes enigmatic work of Jewish literature that retells and expands upon stories from the Hebrew Bible. It speaks of Simeon and Levi, two brothers known for their fierce protectiveness of their sister, Dinah.

The story, as we know from Genesis 34:31, recounts how Dinah was violated by Shechem, son of Hamor, and the brothers were incensed. "And they said, 'As with an harlot should he deal with our sister?'" Their outrage was palpable. They couldn’t stand the injustice. In a dramatic act of vengeance, each brother took his sword and slew the men of Shechem. A brutal act, for sure, but born out of a sense of profound violation.

But here's where Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer throws in a fascinating twist, a cautionary tale woven into the narrative. The text points out that the very tribe descended from Simeon, the tribe that had once championed morality so fiercely, later succumbed to its own moral failings.

The text specifically calls out Zimri, a prince of the tribe of Simeon. According to Numbers 25:14, Zimri publicly consorted with a Midianite woman, engaging in what the Torah delicately terms “an immoral purpose.” He didn't remember the zealous actions of his ancestor. He didn't rebuke the young men of Israel. He himself fell into the very sin he should have been fighting against.

The tragedy here isn't just about hypocrisy, although that's certainly a part of it. It's about the seductive nature of power and the danger of unchecked zeal. Simeon and Levi's actions, while understandable in the context of their grief and anger, set a precedent. Their descendants, it seems, interpreted that zeal as a license, a permission slip to act outside the bounds of morality.

Perhaps Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer is trying to teach us that righteousness, true righteousness, isn’t just about condemning the sins of others. It’s about constantly examining ourselves, ensuring that our own actions align with the values we claim to uphold. It's a reminder that even those who start with the best intentions can fall prey to the very evils they sought to eradicate. A sobering thought, and a powerful lesson for us all.