Bamidbar
Masei, Aliyah 6 מסעי, שישי
Part of: MaseiMasei, Aliyah 6Chapter 35
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Bamidbar 35
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽר׃
Adonoy spoke to Moshe, saying:
Adonoy spoke to Moshe, saying:
דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם כִּי אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן אַרְצָה כְּנָֽעַן׃
“Speak to Bnei Yisroel and say to them: ‘When you cross the Yardein into the land of Canaan,
“Speak to Bnei Yisroel and say to them: ‘When you cross the Yardein into the land of Canaan,
וְהִקְרִיתֶם לָכֶם עָרִים עָרֵי מִקְלָט תִּהְיֶינָה לָכֶם וְנָס שָׁמָּה רֹצֵחַ מַכֵּה־נֶפֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָֽה׃
you shall provide cities for yourselves, which shall serve as refuge cities for you, so that a murderer can flee there, one who accidentally killed a person.
you shall provide cities for yourselves, which shall serve as refuge cities for you, so that a murderer can flee there, one who accidentally killed a person.
Rashi
וְהָיוּ לָכֶם הֶעָרִים לְמִקְלָט מִגֹּאֵל וְלֹא יָמוּת הָרֹצֵחַ עַד־עׇמְדוֹ לִפְנֵי הָעֵדָה לַמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃
These cities shall serve you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the murderer will not die until he stands in judgment before the congregation.
These cities shall serve you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the murderer will not die until he stands in judgment before the congregation.
Rashi
מגאל. מִפְּנֵי גּוֹאֵל הַדָּם, שֶׁהוּא קָרוֹב לַנִּרְצָח:
From the avenger. Against the blood redeemer, who is the kinsman of the murder victim.
וְהֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר תִּתֵּנוּ שֵׁשׁ־עָרֵי מִקְלָט תִּהְיֶינָה לָכֶֽם׃
The cities that you shall give, will serve you as six refuge cities.
The cities that you shall give, will serve you as six refuge cities.
Rashi
שש ערי מקלט. מַגִּיד שֶׁאַעַ"פִּ שֶׁהִבְדִּיל מֹשֶׁה בְּחַיָּיו שָׁלוֹשׁ עָרִים בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, לֹא הָיוּ קוֹלְטוֹת עַד שֶׁנִּבְחֲרוּ שָׁלֹשׁ שֶׁנָּתַן יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן (ספרי; מכות ט'):
Six refuge cities. This teaches that although Moshe designated three cities across the Yardein, during his lifetime, they did not absorb, until the selection of the three that Yehoshua placed in the land of Canaan.
אֵת ׀ שְׁלֹשׁ הֶעָרִים תִּתְּנוּ מֵעֵבֶר לַיַּרְדֵּן וְאֵת שְׁלֹשׁ הֶֽעָרִים תִּתְּנוּ בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן עָרֵי מִקְלָט תִּהְיֶֽינָה׃
Three cities on this side of the Yardein, and the [other] three cities you shall give in the land of Canaan. They shall be cities of refuge.
Three cities on this side of the Yardein, and the [other] three cities you shall give in the land of Canaan. They shall be cities of refuge.
Rashi
את שלש הערים וגו'. אַעַ"פִּ שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן תִּשְׁעָה שְׁבָטִים וְכָאן אֵינָן אֶלָּא שְׁנַיִם וָחֵצִי, הִשְׁוָה מִנְיַן עָרֵי הַמִּקְלָט שֶׁלָּהֶם, מִשּׁוּם דִּבְגִלְעָד נְפִישֵׁי רוֹצְחִים, דִּכְתִיב (הושע ו') "גִּלְעָד קִרְיַת פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן עֲקֻבָּה מִדָּם" (שם):
Three cities, etc. Although there were, in the land of Canaan, nine tribes, and here only two and one half, the number of their cities of refuge was the same. Because Gil’ad was rife with murderers, as it is written, “Gil’ad, city of evildoers, bloody ambush.”
לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלַגֵּר וְלַתּוֹשָׁב בְּתוֹכָם תִּהְיֶינָה שֵׁשׁ־הֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה לְמִקְלָט לָנוּס שָׁמָּה כׇּל־מַכֵּה־נֶפֶשׁ בִּשְׁגָגָֽה׃
For Bnei Yisroel, the proselyte, and resident among them, shall these six cities be a refuge, to flee there anyone who accidentally kills a person.
For Bnei Yisroel, the proselyte, and resident among them, shall these six cities be a refuge, to flee there anyone who accidentally kills a person.
וְאִם־בִּכְלִי בַרְזֶל ׀ הִכָּהוּ וַיָּמֹת רֹצֵחַֽ הוּא מוֹת יוּמַת הָרֹצֵֽחַ׃
But if he struck him with an iron instrument and he died, then he is a murderer; the murderer must be executed.
But if he struck him with an iron instrument and he died, then he is a murderer; the murderer must be executed.
Rashi
ואם בכלי ברזל הכהו. אֵין זֶה מְדַבֵּר בְּהוֹרֵג בְּשׁוֹגֵג הַסָּמוּךְ לוֹ, אֶלָּא בְּהוֹרֵג בְּמֵזִיד, וּבָא לְלַמֵּד שֶׁהַהוֹרֵג בְּכָל דָּבָר צָרִיךְ שֶׁיְּהֵא בוֹ שִׁעוּר כְּדֵי לְהָמִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בְּכֻלָּם "אֲשֶׁר יָמוּת בּוֹ", דִּמְתַּרְגְּמִינַן "דְּהִיא כְמִסַּת דִּימוּת בֵּיהּ", חוּץ מִן הַבַּרְזֶל, שֶׁגָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לִפְנֵי הַקָּבָּ"ה שֶׁהַבַּרְזֶל מֵמִית בְּכָל שֶׁהוּא, אֲפִלּוּ מַחַט, לְפִיכָךְ לֹא נָתְנָה בוֹ תּוֹרָה שִׁעוּר לִכְתֹּב בּוֹ אֲשֶׁר יָמוּת בּוֹ; וְאִם תֹּאמַר בְּהוֹרֵג בְּשׁוֹגֵג הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר, הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר לְמַטָּה אוֹ בכל אבן אשר ימות בה בלא ראות וְגוֹ', לִמֵּד עַל הָאֲמוּרִים לְמַעְלָה שֶׁבְּהוֹרֵג בְּמֵזִיד הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר:
But if he struck him with an iron instrument. This does not refer to the inadvertent killing discussed in the preceding context, but, rather, to premeditated murder. It teaches that all implements of murder must be sizable enough to kill, for it is said, concerning all of them, “which can kill,” rendered by Targum [Onkelos], ”of a size capable of killing” — except for iron. For it is clearly evident to The Holy One, Blessed is He, that iron of any size can kill, even a needle. The Torah, therefore, did not specify a size by saying “which can kill.” Still, you may ask, “perhaps our passage refers to one who killed inadvertently?” But it states, below, “or, with a stone which can kill, without seeing, etc.” This teaches that, in its statements above, Scripture refers to premeditated murder.
וְאִם בְּאֶבֶן יָד אֲשֶׁר־יָמוּת בָּהּ הִכָּהוּ וַיָּמֹת רֹצֵחַֽ הוּא מוֹת יוּמַת הָרֹצֵֽחַ׃
Or if with a stone that can be held in the hand and which can kill he strikes him, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer must be executed.
Or if with a stone that can be held in the hand and which can kill he strikes him, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer must be executed.
Rashi
באבן יד. שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ מְלֹא יָד (ספרי):
With a stone that can be held in the hand. Large enough to fill the hand.
אשר ימות בה. שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ שִׁעוּר לְהָמִית, כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ; לְפִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְהִכָּה אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ בְּאֶבֶן" (שמות כ"א), וְלֹא נָתַן בָּהּ שִׁעוּר, יָכוֹל כָּל שֶׁהוּא, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר אשר ימות בה:
Which can kill. Large enough to kill, as rendered by Targum [Onkelos]. Since it is said, “if a man strikes his fellow with a stone” without specifying its size, perhaps any size? It is said, therefore, “which can kill.”
אוֹ בִּכְלִי עֵֽץ־יָד אֲשֶׁר־יָמוּת בּוֹ הִכָּהוּ וַיָּמֹת רֹצֵחַֽ הוּא מוֹת יוּמַת הָרֹצֵֽחַ׃
Or if with a wooden implement [that can be held] in the hand and which can cause death he strikes him, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer must be executed.
Or if with a wooden implement [that can be held] in the hand and which can cause death he strikes him, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer must be executed.
Rashi
או בכלי עץ יד. לְפִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שם) "וְכִי יַכֶּה אִישׁ אֶת עַבְדּוֹ אוֹ אֶת אֲמָתוֹ בַּשֵּׁבֶט", יָכוֹל כָּל שֶׁהוּא, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר "בְּעֵץ אֲשֶׁר יָמוּת בּוֹ" — שֶׁיְּהֵא בּוֹ כְּדֵי לְהָמִית (ספרי):
Or with a wooden implement [that can be held] in the hand. Since it is said, “if a man strikes his slave or his maidservant with a rod,” perhaps any size? It is said, concerning wood, therefore, “which can cause death” — it must be sizable enough to kill.
גֹּאֵל הַדָּם הוּא יָמִית אֶת־הָרֹצֵחַ בְּפִגְעוֹ־בוֹ הוּא יְמִתֶֽנּוּ׃
The blood avenger shall kill the murderer, wherever he meets him he may kill him.
The blood avenger shall kill the murderer, wherever he meets him he may kill him.
Rashi
בפגעו בו. אֲפִלּוּ בְּתוֹךְ עָרֵי מִקְלָט:
Wherever he meets him. Even inside the cities of refuge.
וְאִם־בְּשִׂנְאָה יֶהְדֳּפֶנּוּ אֽוֹ־הִשְׁלִיךְ עָלָיו בִּצְדִיָּה וַיָּמֹֽת׃
If he pushes [his victim] out of hatred or throws at him deliberately, and he died,
If he pushes [his victim] out of hatred or throws at him deliberately, and he died,
Rashi
בצדיה. כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ, "בְּכָמְנָא" — בְּמַאֲרָב:
Deliberately. As Targum [Onkelos] renders, בְּכַמְנָא, “from ambush.”
אוֹ בְאֵיבָה הִכָּהוּ בְיָדוֹ וַיָּמֹת מֽוֹת־יוּמַת הַמַּכֶּה רֹצֵחַֽ הוּא גֹּאֵל הַדָּם יָמִית אֶת־הָרֹצֵחַ בְּפִגְעוֹ־בֽוֹ׃
or if in enmity, he struck him with his hand and he died, the assailant must be executed; he is a murderer. The blood avenger may kill the murderer wherever he meets him.
or if in enmity, he struck him with his hand and he died, the assailant must be executed; he is a murderer. The blood avenger may kill the murderer wherever he meets him.
וְאִם־בְּפֶתַע בְּלֹא־אֵיבָה הֲדָפוֹ אוֹ־הִשְׁלִיךְ עָלָיו כׇּל־כְּלִי בְּלֹא צְדִיָּֽה׃
But if suddenly, without enmity, he pushed him or threw any object at him not deliberately,
But if suddenly, without enmity, he pushed him or threw any object at him not deliberately,
Rashi
בפתע. בְּאֹנֶס, וְתַרְגּוּמוֹ "בִּתְכֵיף", שֶׁהָיָה סָמוּךְ לוֹ וְלֹא הָיָה לוֹ שָׁהוּת לְהִזָּהֵר עָלָיו:
Suddenly. Accidentally. Targum [Onkelos] renders בִּתְכֵיף, “suddenly.” He was nearby, and there was no time for him to take heed.
אוֹ בְכׇל־אֶבֶן אֲשֶׁר־יָמוּת בָּהּ בְּלֹא רְאוֹת וַיַּפֵּל עָלָיו וַיָּמֹת וְהוּא לֹא־אוֹיֵב לוֹ וְלֹא מְבַקֵּשׁ רָעָתֽוֹ׃
Or (even) with a stone which can kill, without seeing [the victim], he threw it down on him and he died, but he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm.
Or (even) with a stone which can kill, without seeing [the victim], he threw it down on him and he died, but he was not his enemy and did not seek his harm.
Rashi
או בכל אבן אשר ימות בה. הִכָּהוּ:
Or with a stone which can kill. He struck him.
בלא ראות. שֶׁלֹּא רָאָהוּ:
Without seeing. He did not see him.
ויפל עליו. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ הַהוֹרֵג דֶּרֶךְ יְרִידָה גּוֹלֶה, דֶּרֶךְ עֲלִיָּה אֵינוֹ גוֹלֶה (מכות ל'):
He threw it down on him. From here they (the Rabbis) said, “someone who kills while descending, is exiled; [but if he kills] while ascending, is not exiled.”
וְשָֽׁפְטוּ הָֽעֵדָה בֵּין הַמַּכֶּה וּבֵין גֹּאֵל הַדָּם עַל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
Then the congregation shall judge between the assailant and the blood avenger, abiding by these laws.
Then the congregation shall judge between the assailant and the blood avenger, abiding by these laws.
וְהִצִּילוּ הָעֵדָה אֶת־הָרֹצֵחַ מִיַּד גֹּאֵל הַדָּם וְהֵשִׁיבוּ אֹתוֹ הָֽעֵדָה אֶל־עִיר מִקְלָטוֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָס שָׁמָּה וְיָשַׁב בָּהּ עַד־מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדֹל אֲשֶׁר־מָשַׁח אֹתוֹ בְּשֶׁמֶן הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃
The congregation shall protect the murderer from the blood avenger, and return him to his refuge city where he had fled, and he must remain there until the death of the Kohein Gadol who was anointed with the sacred oil.
The congregation shall protect the murderer from the blood avenger, and return him to his refuge city where he had fled, and he must remain there until the death of the Kohein Gadol who was anointed with the sacred oil.
Rashi
עד מות הכהן הגדול. שֶׁהוּא בָא לְהַשְׁרוֹת שְׁכִינָה בְיִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְהַאֲרִיךְ יְמֵיהֶם, וְהָרוֹצֵחַ בָּא לְסַלֵּק אֶת הַשְּׁכִינָה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וּמְקַצֵּר אֶת יְמֵי הַחַיִּים, אֵינוֹ כְדַאי שֶׁיְּהֵא לִפְנֵי כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל (ספרי); דָּבָר אַחֵר — לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל לְהִתְפַּלֵּל שֶׁלֹּא תֶאֱרַע תַּקָּלָה זוֹ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּחַיָּיו (עי' מכות י"א):
Until the death of the Kohein gadol. As he causes the Divine Presence to reside in Israel, and lengthens their lives, while the murderer causes the Divine Presence to leave Israel, and shortens their lives, he (the murderer) is unworthy of being in the presence of the Kohein Gadol. Another interpretation: Because the Kohein Gadol should have prayed that this pitfall not occur in Israel during his lifetime.
אשר משח אותו בשמן הקדש. לְפִי פְשׁוּטוֹ מִן הַמִּקְרָאוֹת הַקְּצָרִים הוּא, שֶׁלֹּא פֵּרֵשׁ מִי מְשָׁחוֹ, אֶלָּא כְּמוֹ אֲשֶׁר מְשָׁחוֹ הַמּוֹשֵׁחַ אוֹתוֹ בְּשֶׁמֶן הַקֹּדֶשׁ; וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ דְרָשׁוּהוּ בְמַסֶּכֶת מַכּוֹת (שם) לִרְאָיַת דָּבָר, לְלַמֵּד שֶׁאִם עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִגְמַר דִּינוֹ מֵת הַכֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל וּמִנּוּ אַחֵר תַּחְתָּיו, וּלְאַחַר מִכָּאן נִגְמַר דִּינוֹ, חוֹזֵר בְּמִיתָתוֹ שֶׁל שֵׁנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר אשר משח אתו, וְכִי הוּא מוֹשְׁחוֹ לַכֹּהֵן אוֹ הַכֹּהֵן מָשַׁח אוֹתוֹ? אֶלָּא לְהָבִיא אֶת הַנִּמְשָׁח בְּיָמָיו שֶׁמַּחֲזִירוֹ בְּמִיתָתוֹ:
Who was anointed with the sacred oil. According to its plain meaning, this is one of the shortened passages, as it does not explain who anointed him, but, rather, as if to say, “whom, whoever anointed him with the sacred oil.” Our sages expound this, in Maseches Makos, as verification of a teaching, to teach that, if before his case was decided, the Kohein Gadol died and another was appointed in his place, and his case was then decided, he is released from exile at the death of the second, as it is said, “whom he anointed.” Was it he who anointed him as a kohein, or a kohein who anointed him? Therefore, this is meant to include one who was anointed in his days — that he is released from exile at his death.
וְאִם־יָצֹא יֵצֵא הָרֹצֵחַ אֶת־גְּבוּל עִיר מִקְלָטוֹ אֲשֶׁר יָנוּס שָֽׁמָּה׃
But if the murderer goes outside of the border of his refuge city where he had fled,
But if the murderer goes outside of the border of his refuge city where he had fled,
וּמָצָא אֹתוֹ גֹּאֵל הַדָּם מִחוּץ לִגְבוּל עִיר מִקְלָטוֹ וְרָצַח גֹּאֵל הַדָּם אֶת־הָרֹצֵחַ אֵין לוֹ דָּֽם׃
and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his refuge city, and the blood avenger kills the murderer, he has no blood.
and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his refuge city, and the blood avenger kills the murderer, he has no blood.
Rashi
אין לו דם. הֲרֵי הוּא כְּהוֹרֵג אֶת הַמֵּת, שֶׁאֵין לוֹ דָּם:
lit. He has no blood. It is as if he had murdered a lifeless man, as his blood is forfeit.
כִּי בְעִיר מִקְלָטוֹ יֵשֵׁב עַד־מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדֹל וְאַחֲרֵי מוֹת הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדֹל יָשׁוּב הָרֹצֵחַ אֶל־אֶרֶץ אֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃
For he (the killer) must remain in his refuge city until the death of the Kohein Gadol. After the death of the Kohein Gadol the murderer may return to the land of his possession.
For he (the killer) must remain in his refuge city until the death of the Kohein Gadol. After the death of the Kohein Gadol the murderer may return to the land of his possession.
וְהָיוּ אֵלֶּה לָכֶם לְחֻקַּת מִשְׁפָּט לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃
These [rules] shall be for you the law of justice for all your descendants in all your dwelling places.
These [rules] shall be for you the law of justice for all your descendants in all your dwelling places.
Rashi
בכל מושבתיכם. לִמֵּד שֶׁתְּהֵא סַנְהֶדְרִין קְטַנָּה נוֹהֶגֶת בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ כָּל זְמַן שֶׁנּוֹהֶגֶת בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל (מכות ז'):
In all your dwelling places. This teaches that the lower Sanhedrin court functions outside the land so long as it functions in Eretz Yisroel.
כׇּל־מַכֵּה־נֶפֶשׁ לְפִי עֵדִים יִרְצַח אֶת־הָרֹצֵחַ וְעֵד אֶחָד לֹא־יַעֲנֶה בְנֶפֶשׁ לָמֽוּת׃
If anyone kills a person, only upon the testimony of witnesses shall the murderer be killed. But one witness may not testify against a person, in a case of capital punishment.
If anyone kills a person, only upon the testimony of witnesses shall the murderer be killed. But one witness may not testify against a person, in a case of capital punishment.
Rashi
כל מכה נפש וגו'. הַבָּא לְהָרְגוֹ עַל שֶׁהִכָּה אֶת הַנֶּפֶשׁ (עי' ספרי):
If anyone lls a person, etc. The one who endeavors to kill him because he had killed a person. . .
לפי עדים ירצח. שֶׁיָּעִידוּ שֶׁבְּמֵזִיד וּבְהַתְרָאָה הֲרָגוֹ:
Upon the testimony of witnesses shall [the murderer] be killed. Who testify that the murderer acted intentionally, and was forwarned.
וְלֹֽא־תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר לְנֶפֶשׁ רֹצֵחַ אֲשֶׁר־הוּא רָשָׁע לָמוּת כִּי־מוֹת יוּמָֽת׃
And do not accept atonement compensation for the life of a murderer who is wicked to incur the death penalty, for he must be executed.
And do not accept atonement compensation for the life of a murderer who is wicked to incur the death penalty, for he must be executed.
Rashi
ולא תקחו כפר. לֹא יִפָּטֵר בְּמָמוֹן (כתובות ל"ז):
And do not accept atonement compensation. He cannot absolve himself with money
וְלֹא־תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר לָנוּס אֶל־עִיר מִקְלָטוֹ לָשׁוּב לָשֶׁבֶת בָּאָרֶץ עַד־מוֹת הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
And do not accept atonement compensation for one who has fled to his refuge city, to allow him to return to live in the land, before the death of the Kohein (Gadol).
And do not accept atonement compensation for one who has fled to his refuge city, to allow him to return to live in the land, before the death of the Kohein (Gadol).
Rashi
ולא תקחו כפר לנוס אל עיר מקלטו. לְמִי שֶׁנָּס אֶל עִיר מִקְלָט, שֶׁהָרַג בְּשׁוֹגֵג, אֵינוֹ נִפְטָר מִגָּלוּת בְּמָמוֹן, לִתֵּן כֹּפֶר לשוב לשבת בארץ טֶרֶם יָמוּת הַכֹּהֵן (שם):
And, do not accept atonement compensation for one who has fled to his refuge city. For, someone who fled to a refuge city because he killed inadvertently, is not absolved from exile with money, by paying atonement compensation so that he may return and dwell in the land before the kohein dies.
לנוס. כְּמוֹ לַנָּס, כְּמוֹ "שׁוּבֵי מִלְחָמָה" (מיכה ב') — שֶׁשָּׁבוּ מִן הַמִּלְחָמָה, וְכֵן "נוּגֵי מִמּוֹעֵד" (צפניה ג'), וְכֵן "כִּי מֻלִים הָיוּ" (יהושע ה'); כַּאֲשֶׁר תֹּאמַר שׁוּב עַל מִי שֶׁשָּׁב כְּבָר, וּמוּל עַל שֶׁמָּל כְּבָר, כֵּן תֹּאמַר לָנוּס עַל מִי שֶׁנָּס כְּבָר, וְקוֹרֵהוּ נוּס, כְּלוֹמַר מֻבְרָח. וְאִם תֹּאמַר לָנוּס — לִבְרֹחַ, וּתְפָרְשֵׁהוּ לֹא תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר לְמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ לִבְרֹחַ לְפָטְרוֹ מִן הַגָּלוּת (עי' ספרי), לֹא יָדַעְתִּי הֵיאַךְ יֹאמַר לָשׁוּב לָשֶׁבֶת בָּאָרֶץ, הֲרֵי עֲדַיִן לֹא נָס, וּמֵהֵיכָן יָשׁוּב?:
לָנוּס . Like לְנָס, as in שׁוּבֵי מִלְחָמָה, “who returned from battle.” Similarly, נוּגֵי מִמּוֹעֵד, “who were excluded from the festivals.” Similarly, כִּי מֻלִים הָיוּ, “for they were circumcised.” Just as one says שׁוּב concerning someone who has already returned, and מוּל concerning someone who was already circumcised, so does one say לָנוּס concerning someone who has already fled. He is called נוּס as if to say מֻבְרָח, “has fled.” But perhaps you might interpret לָנוּס as לִבְרוֹחַ,”to flee,” and explain “do not accept atonement compensation” “for someone who must flee,” and absolve him from exile? Then I do not know how it could say “so that he may return and dwell in the land,” when he did not yet flee — from where shall he return?
וְלֹֽא־תַחֲנִיפוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם בָּהּ כִּי הַדָּם הוּא יַחֲנִיף אֶת־הָאָרֶץ וְלָאָרֶץ לֹֽא־יְכֻפַּר לַדָּם אֲשֶׁר שֻׁפַּךְ־בָּהּ כִּי־אִם בְּדַם שֹׁפְכֽוֹ׃
Do not pollute the land in which you live, for, the blood pollutes the land, and for the land there can be no atonement for the blood that was spilled in it, except through the blood of the one who spilled it.
Do not pollute the land in which you live, for, the blood pollutes the land, and for the land there can be no atonement for the blood that was spilled in it, except through the blood of the one who spilled it.
Rashi
ולא תחניפו. לֹא תַרְשִׁיעוּ, כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ — "וְלָא תְחַיְבוּן":
Do not pollute (lit. falsely flatter). Do not bring evil, as Targum [Onkelos] renders, וְלָא תְחַיְּבוּן, “do not bring guilt.”
וְלֹא תְטַמֵּא אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹשְׁבִים בָּהּ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי שֹׁכֵן בְּתוֹכָהּ כִּי אֲנִי יְהֹוָה שֹׁכֵן בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
You must not defile the land in which you live, wherein I reside, for, I, Adonoy, dwell among Bnei Yisroel.’”
You must not defile the land in which you live, wherein I reside, for, I, Adonoy, dwell among Bnei Yisroel.’”
Rashi
אשר אני שכן בתוכה. שֶׁלֹּא תַשְׁכִּינוּ אוֹתִי בְטֻמְאָתָהּ:
Wherein I reside. Do not cause Me to reside in its defilement.
כי אני ה' שכן בתוך בני ישראל. אַף בִּזְמַן שֶׁהֵם טְמֵאִים שְׁכִינָה בֵינֵיהֶם (ספרי):
For I, Adonoy, dwell among Bnei Yisroel. Even when they are defiled, the Divine Presence rests among them.
והקריתם. אֵין הַקְרָיָה אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן הַזְמָנָה, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר "כִּי הִקְרָה ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְפָנָי" (בראשית כ"ז):
You shall provide. הַקְרָיָיה means [nothing but] providing. Similarly, it says, “because the Adonoy your God provided for me.”