Deuteronomy 21:8 - Seeking atonement for unsolved murder

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Hebrew Text

כַּפֵּר לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר־פָּדִיתָ יְהוָה וְאַל־תִּתֵּן דָּם נָקִי בְּקֶרֶב עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְנִכַּפֵּר לָהֶם הַדָּם׃

English Translation

Be merciful, O Lord, to thy people Yisra᾽el, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood to the charge of thy people Yisra᾽el. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

Transliteration

Kaper le'amekha Yisrael asher padita Adonai ve'al titen dam naki bekerev amekha Yisrael venikaper lahem hadam.

Hebrew Leining Text

כַּפֵּר֩ לְעַמְּךָ֨ יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־פָּדִ֙יתָ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאַל־תִּתֵּן֙ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֔י בְּקֶ֖רֶב עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְנִכַּפֵּ֥ר לָהֶ֖ם הַדָּֽם׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 21:8, within the passage discussing the eglah arufah (the heifer whose neck is broken) as an atonement for an unsolved murder. The elders of the nearest city perform this ritual to seek atonement for the innocent blood shed in their midst.

Meaning of "כַּפֵּר לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל"

Rashi explains that the phrase "כַּפֵּר לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל" ("Be merciful, O Lord, to Thy people Yisrael") is a plea for atonement. The elders, representing the community, beseech Hashem to forgive the collective responsibility for the unsolved murder, as the Torah holds the nearest city accountable for failing to provide proper hospitality and security (Rashi on Devarim 21:8).

The Concept of "דָּם נָקִי" (Innocent Blood)

The term "דָּם נָקִי" ("innocent blood") refers to the blood of a victim whose killer remains unknown. The Rambam (Hilchos Rotzeach 9:3) emphasizes that this ritual serves as a public declaration that the community did not neglect its duty to protect travelers. The Sifrei (Devarim 21:8) adds that the atonement is necessary to prevent the land from being spiritually defiled by unavenged bloodshed.

Redemption and Atonement ("אֲשֶׁר־פָּדִיתָ יְהוָה")

The mention of "אֲשֶׁר־פָּדִיתָ יְהוָה" ("whom Thou hast redeemed") recalls the Exodus from Egypt. The Ibn Ezra notes that this phrase reminds the people of their covenantal relationship with Hashem—just as He redeemed them from slavery, they must now seek His mercy to cleanse them from the spiritual stain of bloodshed.

The Outcome of Atonement ("וְנִכַּפֵּר לָהֶם הַדָּם")

The concluding phrase, "וְנִכַּפֵּר לָהֶם הַדָּם" ("And the blood shall be forgiven them"), teaches that the eglah arufah ritual brings expiation. The Talmud (Sotah 47b) states that once this procedure is completed, the community is no longer held accountable for the unsolved murder, demonstrating the power of collective repentance and Divine compassion.

Key Lessons from the Verse

Communal Responsibility: The verse underscores the Torah’s emphasis on societal accountability for moral failings (Rambam, Hilchos Sanhedrin 1:1).
Divine Mercy: Even in tragic circumstances, Hashem provides a path for atonement through sincere repentance (Midrash Tanchuma, Shoftim 9).
Sanctity of Life: The ritual highlights the gravity of bloodshed and the need to uphold justice (Sifrei Devarim 21:8).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 85b

The verse is referenced in the discussion about atonement and the power of repentance, particularly in the context of Yom Kippur.

📖 Makkot 11b

The verse is cited in the discussion about the laws concerning the cities of refuge and the atonement for unintentional murder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 21:8 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 21:8 is a plea to Hashem for atonement on behalf of the Jewish people. It asks for forgiveness when an unsolved murder occurs, so that the community is not held accountable for 'innocent blood.' According to Rashi, this verse emphasizes the collective responsibility of the community to seek justice and atonement, even when the perpetrator is unknown.

Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it teaches the principle of communal responsibility. The Talmud (Sotah 45b) explains that when a murder goes unsolved, the elders of the nearest city must perform a special ritual (the 'eglah arufah') to atone for the crime. This shows that society must take moral responsibility for injustices, even if the individual culprit is not found.

Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 21:8 today?
A: We learn that we must not ignore wrongdoing in our midst. The Rambam (Hilchos Rotzeach 9:3) explains that this law reminds us to uphold justice and ensure safety in our communities. If a crime occurs, leaders must take action—whether through legal measures or spiritual repentance—to prevent further harm.

Q: How does the concept of 'innocent blood' apply in Jewish law?
A: The term 'innocent blood' (דם נקי) refers to a murder where the victim did not deserve death. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 21:8) teaches that allowing such crimes to go unaddressed brings spiritual impurity to the land. Jewish law requires thorough investigations and atonement rituals to cleanse the community from this moral stain.

Q: What is the connection between redemption and atonement in this verse?
A: The verse mentions that Hashem redeemed the Jewish people ('whom You have redeemed'), linking national redemption to moral responsibility. The Kli Yakar explains that true redemption depends on upholding justice. If the community neglects justice, it risks losing Divine protection. Thus, atonement for bloodshed is essential to maintaining our covenantal relationship with Hashem.