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Hebrew Text
וּרְגָמֻהוּ כָּל־אַנְשֵׁי עִירוֹ בָאֲבָנִים וָמֵת וּבִעַרְתָּ הָרָע מִקִּרְבֶּךָ וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ׃
English Translation
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Yisra᾽el shall hear, and fear.
Transliteration
U-r'gamuhu kol-anshei iro va'avanim vamet uviarta hara mikirbecha v'chol-Yisrael yishm'u v'yira'u.
Hebrew Leining Text
וּ֠רְגָמֻ֠הוּ כׇּל־אַנְשֵׁ֨י עִיר֤וֹ בָֽאֲבָנִים֙ וָמֵ֔ת וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִשְׁמְע֥וּ וְיִרָֽאוּ׃ {ס}
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Sanhedrin 45b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of stoning and the procedure for carrying out capital punishment, emphasizing the communal aspect of the execution and its deterrent effect.
📖 Makkot 7a
The verse is referenced in the discussion of the laws pertaining to witnesses in capital cases and the requirement for the community to participate in the execution to eradicate evil from their midst.
Context and Meaning of the Verse
The verse (Devarim 21:21) discusses the severe punishment of stoning (sekilah) for a ben sorer u'moreh (a rebellious son) who refuses to heed his parents' discipline. The Torah emphasizes that this execution is carried out by "all the men of his city," symbolizing communal responsibility in upholding justice. The phrase וּבִעַרְתָּ הָרָע מִקִּרְבֶּךָ ("you shall remove the evil from your midst") underscores the necessity of eradicating moral corruption to preserve societal holiness.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi (Devarim 21:21) explains that the execution serves as a deterrent, ensuring that "all Yisrael shall hear and fear." He notes that the rebellious son's behavior, if left unchecked, would inevitably lead to violent crimes, justifying the severe penalty as a preventive measure. Rashi also highlights that the phrase וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ teaches that publicizing such judgments reinforces reverence for Torah law.
Maimonides' Perspective
In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Mamrim 7:1-2), Rambam elaborates on the legal criteria for a ben sorer u'moreh, emphasizing that the punishment is exceedingly rare due to stringent requirements. He interprets the verse as a lesson in the gravity of moral decay, stating that the execution is not merely punitive but serves to purify the community (תיקון הציבור).
Talmudic Discussion
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 71a) states that a ben sorer u'moreh was never actually executed, as the conditions were nearly impossible to meet. Nevertheless, the law was given to "expound and receive reward" (דרוש וקבל שכר), meaning its study conveys moral and ethical lessons. The Gemara stresses that the verse’s purpose is to instill yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven) in the nation.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 218) connects this verse to the broader theme of communal accountability. It teaches that when evil is tolerated, it corrupts the entire society, hence the need for collective action in justice. The phrase וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ illustrates that public awareness of divine justice strengthens the spiritual integrity of Klal Yisrael.
Key Lessons