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Numbers 17:5 - Aaron's incense: who may offer?

Numbers 17:5 - במדבר 17:5

Hebrew Text

זִכָּרוֹן לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יִקְרַב אִישׁ זָר אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִזֶּרַע אַהֲרֹן הוּא לְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת לִפְנֵי יְהוָה וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה כְקֹרַח וְכַעֲדָתוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁה לוֹ׃

English Translation

to be a memorial to the children of Yisra᾽el, that no stranger, who is not of the seed of Aharon, come near to offer incense before the Lord: that he be not like Qoraĥ and his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moshe.

Transliteration

Zikaron livnei Yisrael lema'an asher lo-yikrav ish zar asher lo mizera Aharon hu lehakti ketoret lifnei Adonai velo-yihyeh keKorach vecha'adato ka'asher diber Adonai be'yad-Moshe lo.

Hebrew Leining Text

זִכָּר֞וֹן לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְ֠מַ֠עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יִקְרַ֜ב אִ֣ישׁ זָ֗ר אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א מִזֶּ֤רַע אַהֲרֹן֙ ה֔וּא לְהַקְטִ֥יר קְטֹ֖רֶת לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶ֤ה כְקֹ֙רַח֙ וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה לֽוֹ׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
זִכָּר֞וֹן לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְ֠מַ֠עַן אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יִקְרַ֜ב אִ֣ישׁ זָ֗ר אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א מִזֶּ֤רַע אַהֲרֹן֙ ה֔וּא לְהַקְטִ֥יר קְטֹ֖רֶת לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶ֤ה כְקֹ֙רַח֙ וְכַ֣עֲדָת֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה לֽוֹ׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 17:5) follows the rebellion of Korach and his followers, who challenged the divine appointment of Aharon and his descendants to the priesthood. The verse serves as a warning and a reminder to Bnei Yisrael about the sanctity of the Kehunah (priesthood) and the severe consequences of unauthorized individuals attempting to perform sacred Temple service.

The Prohibition Against Strangers Offering Ketoret

Rashi explains that the term "זָר" (stranger) refers to anyone not descended from Aharon, even if they are from the tribe of Levi. The ketoret (incense) was an especially sacred service in the Mishkan and later the Beit HaMikdash, and its offering was restricted exclusively to Kohanim. Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 2:3) emphasizes that this prohibition applies even if a non-Kohen is otherwise righteous and learned—the sanctity of the priesthood is inviolable.

Korach as a Cautionary Example

The verse explicitly links this prohibition to the fate of Korach and his followers. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:8) elaborates that Korach's sin was not merely rebellion but an attempt to usurp the divinely ordained roles of Moshe and Aharon. The earth swallowing Korach and his assembly serves as an eternal reminder of the consequences of challenging Hashem's chosen structure of leadership and avodah (service).

The Purpose of the Memorial

The phrase "זִכָּרוֹן לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" (a memorial to the children of Israel) indicates that this event was to be remembered for all generations. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) teaches that one who perpetuates disputes, as Korach did, violates a Torah prohibition. The copper-covered altar (mentioned earlier in the parsha) served as a visible reminder of this lesson, ensuring that future generations would not repeat Korach's error.

Practical Implications

  • Only descendants of Aharon may perform the avodah in the Beit HaMikdash, particularly the offering of ketoret.
  • Challenges to Torah leadership—when divinely appointed—are considered grave sins.
  • The story of Korach reinforces the principle of "קבלת עול מלכות שמים" (accepting the yoke of Heaven), which includes submission to Hashem's chosen systems of authority.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 110a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about Korah's rebellion and the prohibition against non-priests offering incense.
📖 Yoma 19b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the exclusive rights of the priests to perform certain Temple services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 17:5 mean?
A: This verse serves as a warning that only descendants of Aaron (Kohanim) may offer incense in the Temple. It reminds us of Korach's rebellion, where unauthorized people tried to take on priestly duties and were punished.
Q: Why is the incense offering restricted to Aaron's descendants?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Yoma 26a), Hashem chose Aaron and his descendants specifically for the priestly service. This division of roles maintains order and holiness in Jewish worship, as each tribe has its unique purpose.
Q: What can we learn from the reference to Korach in this verse?
A: The Torah teaches us about proper boundaries and humility. Korach's mistake was challenging divinely appointed roles. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:8) explains this teaches us to be content with our own spiritual paths rather than coveting others' roles.
Q: Does this verse have any relevance today without the Temple?
A: Yes. The Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 1:7) explains that while we don't have the Temple service today, the principle teaches us to respect proper spiritual authority and the unique roles Hashem assigns to different people in Jewish life.
Q: Why is this called a 'memorial' for the children of Israel?
A: Rashi explains this serves as an eternal reminder of the consequences of unauthorized service to Hashem. The copper pans from Korach's rebellion were hammered into the altar's covering as a visible reminder (Bamidbar 17:3-4), teaching future generations this important lesson.