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Leviticus 24:23 - Divine justice demands action.

Leviticus 24:23 - ויקרא 24:23

Hebrew Text

וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיּוֹצִיאוּ אֶת־הַמְקַלֵּל אֶל־מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה וַיִּרְגְּמוּ אֹתוֹ אָבֶן וּבְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל עָשׂוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה׃

English Translation

And Moshe spoke to the children of Yisra᾽el, and they brought him that had cursed out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. And the children of Yisra᾽el did as the Lord commanded Moshe.

Transliteration

Vayedaber Moshe el-bnei Yisrael vayotziu et-hamakalel el-michutz lamahane vayirgemu oto even uvnei-Yisrael asu ka'asher tzivah Adonai et-Moshe.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר מֹשֶׁה֮ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֶת־הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל אֶל־מִחוּץ֙ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אָ֑בֶן וּבְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עָשׂ֔וּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר מֹשֶׁה֮ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֶת־הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל אֶל־מִחוּץ֙ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אָ֑בֶן וּבְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עָשׂ֔וּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

The Incident of the Blasphemer

The verse (Vayikra 24:23) describes the execution of a man who blasphemed the Name of Hashem, as commanded earlier in the parsha. Rashi explains that this individual was the son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man (as mentioned in Vayikra 24:10), and his blasphemy emerged from a dispute over his right to camp among the tribe of Dan.

The Legal Process

The Rambam (Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 2:7) derives from this incident several halachic principles regarding blasphemy:

  • The blasphemer must be taken outside the camp, symbolizing the severity of his sin which makes him unfit to dwell among the Jewish people.
  • The stoning was carried out by the entire congregation, emphasizing the collective responsibility to uphold the sanctity of Hashem's Name.
  • The execution followed a proper judicial process, as all capital cases require.

Spiritual Significance

The Midrash (Toras Kohanim 24:23) notes that the verse emphasizes "the children of Israel did as Hashem commanded Moshe" to teach that they carried out the sentence without hesitation or protest. This demonstrates the seriousness with which they treated the honor of Hashem's Name.

Location of the Execution

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 42b) explains that executions were performed outside all three camps in the wilderness (the Mishkan camp, the Leviim camp, and the Israel camp), with this case establishing the precedent for all future executions. This physical removal reflects the spiritual removal of such severe sins from the midst of the people.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 56a
The verse is referenced in the discussion of the Noachide laws and the prohibition against blasphemy, illustrating the biblical precedent for punishing blasphemers.
📖 Sanhedrin 45b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the procedures for executing a blasphemer, emphasizing the biblical command to stone those who curse God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse about stoning the blasphemer mean?
A: This verse describes the punishment for blasphemy (cursing God's Name), which was a severe transgression in Torah law. According to Rashi and the Talmud (Sanhedrin 56a), this shows how seriously Judaism treats the sanctity of God's Name. The execution outside the camp teaches that such behavior cannot be tolerated within the holy community.
Q: Why was the punishment for blasphemy so severe?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 2:7) explains that blasphemy undermines the very foundation of belief in God and damages the spiritual fabric of society. Since the Jewish people are meant to sanctify God's Name in the world (Vayikra 22:32), one who does the opposite through blasphemy receives this strict punishment.
Q: Does this law about blasphemy apply today?
A: While the Torah's death penalties are not carried out today (due to the absence of the Sanhedrin and Temple), the severity of this law teaches us the eternal importance of respecting God's Name. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 276) rules that even today, one must be extremely careful not to curse or disrespect God's Name in any way.
Q: Why did they take the blasphemer outside the camp to stone him?
A: The Midrash (Sifra) explains that just as impurities are removed from the camp to maintain its holiness, so too must severe spiritual impurities like blasphemy be removed. Rashi notes this teaches that the entire community must actively participate in upholding spiritual standards, not just the courts.
Q: What lesson can we learn from how the Israelites carried out this commandment?
A: The concluding words 'as Hashem commanded Moshe' teach us about complete obedience to divine commandments. The Talmud (Yoma 28b) derives from here that the Jewish people never acted in capital cases unless they received clear instruction from Moshe (and later sages), showing the importance of proper Torah transmission and legal process.