231. He began by quoting: "Trust in Hashem, and do good; dwell in the land, and enjoy security" (Tehilim 37:3). "Trust in Hashem." This is as it should be. "And do good," THAT IS, UNDERTAKE the correction of the Holy Covenant, that you should correct it and keep it properly. And if you do this, you will be here in the land, NAMELY "DWELL IN THE LAND," and it will receive nourishment at your hand, and will flourish at your hand, namely that upper faith WHICH IS MALCHUT, THIS BEING THE MEANING OF "ENJOY SECURITY (ALSO: 'CHERISH FAITH')."

232. And the following verse: "Delight yourself also in Hashem; and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Ibid. 4). All this is remedied with the correction of the covenant, for once the covenant is corrected, everything is corrected. And Pinchas, because he was zealous for this covenant, merited everything. And not only that but he was protector of all Yisrael, and the verse "You shall delight yourself in Hashem" was upheld in him, for he ascended and made contact above, with the first light that the Holy One, blessed be He, created and then concealed, that same light that Abraham enjoyed and with which Aaron the priest was bound.

233. After PINCHAS was promoted to the office of High Priest, the killing of Zimri is not mentioned in connection with him, for it is not fitting, in order that he should not be caught up in the tentacles of the Other Side, and it is indeed not proper to mention the killing in connection with him. Everyone who kills has branches of the Other Side in him, but Pinchas had already become united with the right, WHICH IS THE PRIESTHOOD, and had no portion whatsoever in the Other Side, which is why HIS NAME is not mentioned here. What might have seemed praiseworthy is really a matter of disgrace for him, for it would mean a descent from the upper level with which he was united. It is, therefore, written: "Now the name of the man of Yisrael that was slain, that was slain... And the name of the Midianite woman that was slain..." (Bemidbar 25:14-15), without mentioning by whom.

234. Rabbi Pinchas said, Happy is the generation that hears your interpretations of Torah, and happy is my portion that I have so merited. Rabbi Shimon replied TO RABBI PINCHAS, Happy is the generation in which you and your piety exist. While they were still sitting appeasing and enjoying each other's company, Rabbi Elazar, the son of Rabbi Shimon, came and found them there. Rabbi Pinchas commented, this is certainly in fulfillment of the verse: "And when Jacob saw them, he said: This is Elohim's camp" (Beresheet 32:3). Rabbi Shimon said, Elazar, my son, sit you down, my son, and expound to us this verse, and Rabbi Elazar sat down.