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Numbers 15:2 - Land's gifts require mitzvot

Numbers 15:2 - במדבר 15:2

Hebrew Text

דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם כִּי תָבֹאוּ אֶל־אֶרֶץ מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם׃

English Translation

Speak to the children of Yisra᾽el, and say to them, When you come to the land of your habitations, which I give to you,

Transliteration

Daber el-bnei Yisrael ve'amarta alehem ki tavo'u el-eretz moshevoteichem asher ani noten lachem.

Hebrew Leining Text

דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י תָבֹ֗אוּ אֶל־אֶ֙רֶץ֙ מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃
דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י תָבֹ֗אוּ אֶל־אֶ֙רֶץ֙ מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Vayikra 23:10) introduces the mitzvah of bringing the Omer offering, which is connected to the harvest in Eretz Yisrael. The phrase "כי תבואו אל הארץ" ("When you come to the land") emphasizes that these agricultural commandments are intrinsically tied to the Land of Israel, as noted by Rashi and other commentators.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that the phrase "אֶרֶץ מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם" ("the land of your habitations") teaches that the mitzvah of Omer applies only when Bnei Yisrael are settled in their land—not during conquest or temporary dwelling. This aligns with the Talmud's discussion (Kiddushin 37a) about mitzvot dependent on the land.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin (7:2), Rambam rules that the Omer offering is obligatory only in Eretz Yisrael, based on this verse. He emphasizes that the mitzvah begins when the land is fully under Jewish sovereignty and settlement, as implied by "מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם" (your habitations).

Midrashic Insight

The Sifra (a halachic Midrash on Vayikra) links this verse to the broader theme of gratitude: Hashem commands agricultural offerings to remind Israel that the land's bounty comes from Him. The term "אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם" ("which I give to you") underscores divine ownership and the conditional nature of our dwelling.

Key Themes

  • Land-Dependent Mitzvot: The verse establishes that certain commandments (e.g., Omer, terumah) apply only in Eretz Yisrael.
  • Settlement vs. Conquest: "מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם" implies stability, not just physical presence (as expanded in Talmud Yerushalmi).
  • Divine Gift: The land is a divine endowment requiring acknowledgment through mitzvot like Omer (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 15:2 mean when it says 'the land of your habitations'?
A: Rashi explains that 'the land of your habitations' refers specifically to the Land of Israel, which Hashem promised to give to the Jewish people. The verse emphasizes that this land is designated for their permanent settlement, not just temporary dwelling.
Q: Why does the verse say 'when you come' instead of 'if you come' to the land?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 14a) notes that the Torah uses the term 'when' because entering the Land of Israel was an inevitable part of Hashem's plan for the Jewish people. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) explains that settling in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah that applies in all generations.
Q: What is the significance of this verse appearing after the story of the spies?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 17:2) teaches that this passage comes to reassure the Jewish people after the sin of the spies. Despite their failure, Hashem reaffirms His promise that they will ultimately enter and settle the land, showing His enduring commitment to the Jewish people.