share torah logo

Numbers 21:7 - Repentance through Moses' prayer

Numbers 21:7 - במדבר 21:7

Hebrew Text

וַיָּבֹא הָעָם אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וַיֹּאמְרוּ חָטָאנוּ כִּי־דִבַּרְנוּ בַיהוָה וָבָךְ הִתְפַּלֵּל אֶל־יְהוָה וְיָסֵר מֵעָלֵינוּ אֶת־הַנָּחָשׁ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל מֹשֶׁה בְּעַד הָעָם׃

English Translation

Therefore the people came to Moshe and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moshe prayed for the people.

Transliteration

Va'yavo ha'am el-Moshe va'yomru khatanu ki-dibarnu ba'Adonai uvakh hitpalel el-Adonai ve'yaser me'aleinu et-ha'nahash va'yitpalel Moshe be'ad ha'am.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּבֹא֩ הָעָ֨ם אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֜ה וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ חָטָ֗אנוּ כִּֽי־דִבַּ֤רְנוּ בַֽיהֹוָה֙ וָבָ֔ךְ הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְיָסֵ֥ר מֵעָלֵ֖ינוּ אֶת־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַ֥ד הָעָֽם׃
וַיָּבֹא֩ הָעָ֨ם אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֜ה וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ חָטָ֗אנוּ כִּֽי־דִבַּ֤רְנוּ בַֽיהֹוָה֙ וָבָ֔ךְ הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְיָסֵ֥ר מֵעָלֵ֖ינוּ אֶת־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַ֥ד הָעָֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 21:7) appears in the Torah portion Chukat, where Bnei Yisrael complain against Hashem and Moshe after experiencing hardships in the wilderness. In response, Hashem sends fiery serpents (nechashim seraphim) to punish them. When the people recognize their sin, they approach Moshe to seek forgiveness and ask him to pray for the removal of the serpents.

Repentance and Teshuvah

Rashi (Bamidbar 21:7) emphasizes the sincerity of Bnei Yisrael's repentance. He notes that they openly admitted their wrongdoing by saying, "We have sinned" (חָטָאנוּ), demonstrating true teshuvah. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:1) teaches that verbal confession is an essential component of repentance, as seen here.

The Role of Moshe as Intercessor

The people specifically request Moshe to pray on their behalf, acknowledging his unique closeness to Hashem. The Midrash Tanchuma (Chukat 19) explains that Moshe's prayers were particularly effective because of his humility and selflessness. The Talmud (Berachot 32a) also highlights Moshe's role as a compassionate leader who consistently advocated for the people, even after their rebellions.

The Nature of Their Sin

  • Speaking Against Hashem: The people's complaint was not merely against Moshe but also a rejection of Divine Providence (Ramban, Bamidbar 21:5).
  • Ingratitude: The Sforno notes that their complaints reflected a lack of appreciation for the miracles Hashem had already performed for them.
  • Lashon Hara: The Chofetz Chaim (in his writings on forbidden speech) derives from this episode the severity of speaking negatively about leaders and, by extension, others.

Moshe's Immediate Response

The verse concludes with Moshe praying for the people without hesitation. The Ohr HaChaim (Bamidbar 21:7) points out that Moshe did not delay or rebuke them further, teaching a lesson in chesed (kindness) and the importance of responding to sincere repentance with compassion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 29a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the power of prayer and Moses' intercession for the people.
📖 Yoma 86b
The verse is cited in the context of repentance and the efficacy of confessing sins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the people admit their sin to Moshe?
A: The people admitted their sin to Moshe because they realized they had spoken wrongly against Hashem and Moshe (Rashi on Numbers 21:7). This shows the importance of recognizing one's mistakes and seeking forgiveness.
Q: What can we learn from Moshe praying for the people?
A: We learn from Moshe's prayer for the people that a true leader cares for his community, even when they have wronged him (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 2:5). It teaches the value of forgiveness and interceding for others.
Q: Why did the people ask Moshe to pray instead of praying themselves?
A: The people asked Moshe to pray because they recognized his special closeness to Hashem and the power of a tzaddik's (righteous person's) prayer (Talmud, Bava Batra 116a). However, the Torah ultimately wants every individual to develop their own relationship with Hashem.