Pinchas committed murder in his killing of an Israelite man called Zimri and a Midianite woman called Cozbi. One might think that his reasoning was that the act that this couple were performing was an attack against the nature and well-being of Pinchas’ society. This might be the only remotely acceptable explanation for his zealotry. But I reject the conclusions of Torah on this matter that reward Pinchas for his unilateral and destructive actions. I reject the majority of the Rabbis who felt the need to justify his actions. I reject the notion of a God of war that our ancient ancestors may have believed in. Let not any Rabbi justify the actions of a Pinchas in my name as a Jew. Just as I now believe, that I do not want any person in leadership of this country to justify the continuation of war in Afghanistan in my name as British citizen.

For the full text of this sermon, go to http://www.npls.org.uk/Sermons/New/Erev%20Pinchas%205769.html