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Numbers 9:13 - Neglecting Passover: Why?

Numbers 9:13 - במדבר 9:13

Hebrew Text

וְהָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־הוּא טָהוֹר וּבְדֶרֶךְ לֹא־הָיָה וְחָדַל לַעֲשׂוֹת הַפֶּסַח וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעַמֶּיהָ כִּי קָרְבַּן יְהוָה לֹא הִקְרִיב בְּמֹעֲדוֹ חֶטְאוֹ יִשָּׂא הָאִישׁ הַהוּא׃

English Translation

But the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and fails to keep the passover, then that person shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the Lord in its appointed season; that man shall bear his sin.

Transliteration

Veha'ish asher-hu tahor uvederekh lo-hayah vechadal la'asot hapesach venichreta hanefesh hahi me'amayha ki korban Adonai lo hikriv bemo'ado cheto yisa ha'ish hahu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁר־ה֨וּא טָה֜וֹר וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ לֹא־הָיָ֗ה וְחָדַל֙ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת הַפֶּ֔סַח וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ כִּ֣י <b>׀</b> קׇרְבַּ֣ן יְהֹוָ֗ה לֹ֤א הִקְרִיב֙ בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ חֶטְא֥וֹ יִשָּׂ֖א הָאִ֥ישׁ הַהֽוּא׃
וְהָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁר־ה֨וּא טָה֜וֹר וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ לֹא־הָיָ֗ה וְחָדַל֙ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת הַפֶּ֔סַח וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ כִּ֣י ׀ קׇרְבַּ֣ן יְהֹוָ֗ה לֹ֤א הִקְרִיב֙ בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ חֶטְא֥וֹ יִשָּׂ֖א הָאִ֥ישׁ הַהֽוּא׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Severity of Neglecting the Korban Pesach

The verse (Bamidbar 9:13) establishes a severe punishment of karet (being cut off from one's people) for one who is tahor (ritually pure) and not on a journey, yet neglects to bring the Korban Pesach. Rashi explains that this demonstrates the gravity of the mitzvah, as it is one of the few commandments where intentional neglect incurs karet (Pesachim 82a). The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:1) emphasizes that this applies even if one fails to participate in the communal aspect of the offering.

Conditions for Liability

  • Tahor (Ritually Pure): The Ibn Ezra notes that this excludes those who are tamei (impure) and thus exempt from bringing the Pesach (as addressed in the previous verses).
  • Not on a Journey: Sforno explains that this refers to one who could have reached the Mikdash in time but chose not to, distinguishing from those with legitimate reasons (e.g., distance or danger).

The Nature of the Sin

The phrase "חֶטְאוֹ יִשָּׂא" ("that man shall bear his sin") is interpreted by the Ramban as indicating that the individual bears full responsibility for his deliberate neglect. The Talmud (Pesachim 93a) discusses that this applies even if one was not part of the original group registered for a particular Korban Pesach, highlighting the personal obligation.

Spiritual Implications

The Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 17) connects this mitzvah to the foundational relationship between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, as the Korban Pesach commemorates Yetziat Mitzrayim. Neglecting it is akin to rejecting the covenant. The Kli Yakar adds that the communal nature of the offering underscores the importance of unity in avodat Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 93a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning the Passover sacrifice, particularly regarding those who are obligated to bring the sacrifice but fail to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean to be 'cut off from among his people' in Numbers 9:13?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources like Rashi and the Talmud (Keritot 2a), being 'cut off' (כרת) refers to a severe spiritual punishment, either premature death or being deprived of a share in the World to Come. This applies to someone who willfully neglects the Passover offering without a valid reason.
Q: Who is exempt from bringing the Passover offering according to this verse?
A: The Torah specifies two exemptions: 1) Someone who is ritually impure (טמא), and 2) Someone who is on a distant journey (בדרך רחוקה). The Mishnah (Pesachim 9:1) explains these exceptions in detail, noting they get a 'second chance' to bring the Pesach Sheni offering a month later.
Q: Why is the Passover offering so important that neglecting it carries such a severe consequence?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:1) teaches that the Passover offering is fundamentally connected to our identity as Jews, commemorating our redemption from Egypt. Willfully neglecting it demonstrates a rejection of this foundational event and our covenant with Hashem, hence the severe consequence.
Q: How does this verse apply today when we don't have the Temple?
A: While we cannot bring the Passover offering without the Beit Hamikdash, the Talmud (Pesachim 96a) teaches we still commemorate it through the Passover Seder. The seriousness of the mitzvah reminds us to treat Passover observance with proper reverence, even in exile.
Q: What does 'that man shall bear his sin' mean in practical terms?
A: Rashi explains this means the person remains burdened with this unresolved sin until they repent properly. The Talmud (Yoma 86a) teaches that sincere teshuvah (repentance) can rectify even severe sins like willfully neglecting the Passover offering.