Balak: Dzhikov: As He Was Taught

The 2nd of Tammuz is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Eliezer Nisan of Dzikov [Dzhikov] (1918): “Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aaron the Kohen saw (Numbers 25:7).” Rashi explains that he saw what happened and recalled the Halacha.

Pinchas knew what to do. He was familiar with the law, yet, he did not act until instructed by his Rebbi, Moshe. Seized with passion, “jealous for God,” he still did not act without functioning as Moshe’s agent! (Imrei Noam)

Pinchas’ greatness was not his passion, but his ability to control that passion and express it as the will of his teacher.