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Numbers 19:20 - Impurity severs divine connection.

Numbers 19:20 - במדבר 19:20

Hebrew Text

וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִטְמָא וְלֹא יִתְחַטָּא וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מִתּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל כִּי אֶת־מִקְדַּשׁ יְהוָה טִמֵּא מֵי נִדָּה לֹא־זֹרַק עָלָיו טָמֵא הוּא׃

English Translation

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the water of sprinkling has not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.

Transliteration

Ve'ish asher-yitma velo yitchata venichreta hanefesh hahi mitoch hakahal ki et-mikdash Adonai time mei nida lo-zorak alav tame hu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִ֤ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִטְמָא֙ וְלֹ֣א יִתְחַטָּ֔א וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַקָּהָ֑ל כִּי֩ אֶת־מִקְדַּ֨שׁ יְהֹוָ֜ה טִמֵּ֗א מֵ֥י נִדָּ֛ה לֹא־זֹרַ֥ק עָלָ֖יו טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃
וְאִ֤ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִטְמָא֙ וְלֹ֣א יִתְחַטָּ֔א וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַקָּהָ֑ל כִּי֩ אֶת־מִקְדַּ֨שׁ יְהֹוָ֜ה טִמֵּ֗א מֵ֥י נִדָּ֛ה לֹא־זֹרַ֥ק עָלָ֖יו טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Verse Context and Meaning

The verse (Bamidbar 19:20) discusses the severe consequences for an individual who becomes ritually impure (טמא) through contact with a corpse (טומאת מת) and neglects the purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer (פרה אדומה). The Torah emphasizes that failure to undergo purification results in being "cut off" (כרת) from the congregation and defiling the Sanctuary of Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bamidbar 19:20) clarifies that the phrase "כי את מקדש ה' טמא" ("because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord") refers to entering the Beit HaMikdash or consuming sacred offerings while in a state of impurity. Even if the person did not physically enter the Sanctuary, the mere presence of impurity in the camp (where the Shechinah dwells) constitutes a defilement of holiness.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchot Parah Adumah (11:1), the Rambam explains that the punishment of כרת applies only if the individual intentionally avoids purification. However, if one is unaware of their impurity or the requirement to purify themselves, they are exempt from כרת but still transgress a negative commandment (לאו).

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • The Talmud (Yoma 85b) derives from this verse that impurity must be actively removed—mere passage of time does not suffice. The "מי נדה" (waters of sprinkling) must be deliberately applied on the third and seventh days.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Chukat 8) compares the red heifer's purification process to a parable of a maidservant who cleans a king's palace—similarly, the ashes of the parah adumah cleanse the impurity brought about by death, restoring spiritual purity.

Concept of כרת (Spiritual Excision)

The severity of כרת (being "cut off") is discussed in the Talmud (Keritot 2a), which states that it may refer to premature death or the soul's excision from the World to Come. This underscores the gravity of defiling the Divine Presence through neglect of taharah (purity) laws.

Practical Implications

This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining ritual purity, especially in relation to the Beit HaMikdash. While today, in the absence of the Temple, we cannot fully observe these laws, the principle remains relevant in cultivating awareness of kedushah (holiness) and avoiding spiritual contamination.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 85b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the severity of defiling the sanctuary and the consequences of not purifying oneself, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity.
📖 Keritot 2a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the penalties for various transgressions, particularly those involving ritual impurity and the sanctuary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean to be 'cut off from among the congregation' in Numbers 19:20?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, being 'cut off' (karet) refers to a severe spiritual punishment where one's soul is severed from its connection to the Jewish people and the World to Come. The Talmud (Moed Katan 28a) explains this can happen either through premature death or through being childless, depending on the circumstances.
Q: Why is purification so important in Numbers 19:20?
A: The verse teaches that spiritual purity is essential for maintaining a connection with Hashem and the community. The Rambam (Hilchot Tum'at Met 1:1) explains that impurity creates a barrier between a person and sacred matters. The red heifer purification process (mentioned earlier in Numbers 19) was given to restore this connection after contact with death, the ultimate source of impurity.
Q: What is the 'water of sprinkling' mentioned in Numbers 19:20?
A: This refers to the special purification water made with ashes of the red heifer (para aduma) mixed with spring water, as described earlier in Numbers 19. Rashi explains that this mixture was sprinkled on impure people on the third and seventh day of their purification process to remove the impurity caused by contact with a dead body.
Q: How does the concept of purity in Numbers 19:20 apply today without the Temple?
A: While we currently lack the red heifer ashes for complete purification, the Torah's emphasis on spiritual purity remains relevant. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that we maintain spiritual purity today through careful speech (avoiding lashon hara), ethical behavior, and separating ourselves from negative influences, as these create spiritual barriers similar to the impurities described in the verse.
Q: Why does the verse mention defiling 'the sanctuary of the Lord' when talking about personal impurity?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:8) explains that every Jew is like a miniature sanctuary, as our bodies contain a divine soul. When we remain in a state of impurity, we damage this personal connection to holiness. Additionally, entering the actual Temple while impure would defile the physical sanctuary, showing how personal purity affects our relationship with sacred spaces.