Justice/Peace
Agreement/Challenge
Innovation/Preservation
The Enemy Within, Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.
The Hebrew word 'zerizus' is a bit difficult to define. It may be thought of as diligence, as industriousness, or as zeal. It is perhaps best defined as the antonym of laziness and sloth.
Rashi’s Commentary on Bereshit 22:3
"Arose early in the morning:" To zealously perform the mitzvah at the earliest opportunity.
Mesillat Yesharim, Chapter 7, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
There are two components to zeal, one before the action and one during its performance. Before the action one should make sure not to delay performing a mitzvah. Rather, when the time comes, or when the opportunity arises or the thought crosses one’s mind, one should quickly act and one should not allow time to pass ... Promptness during performance means that once one יאhas begun performance, one should quickly complete it, not for the purpose of removing the burden but out of fear that one may not complete the task.
Orchot Tzaddikim 15:12
Although zeal is very positive, one should make sure not to rush in one’s work too much. One who rides [a horse] too quickly is likely to get hurt and one who runs very quickly will fall. One cannot complete a task properly if it is rushed; doing something properly requires patience. This is why our rabbis stated “be patient in judgment.” Promptness is to be awake, alert and ready to act, but never to rush what one is doing. These issues require great wisdom to determine when one should act quickly and when one should act with patience.