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Numbers 15:35 - Divine justice demands communal responsibility.

Numbers 15:35 - במדבר 15:35

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה מוֹת יוּמַת הָאִישׁ רָגוֹם אֹתוֹ בָאֲבָנִים כָּל־הָעֵדָה מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.

Transliteration

Vayomer Adonai el-Moshe mot yumat ha'ish ragom oto ba'avanim kol-ha'edah michutz lamachaneh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה מ֥וֹת יוּמַ֖ת הָאִ֑ישׁ רָג֨וֹם אֹת֤וֹ בָֽאֲבָנִים֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה מ֥וֹת יוּמַ֖ת הָאִ֑ישׁ רָג֨וֹם אֹת֤וֹ בָֽאֲבָנִים֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 24:23) appears in the context of the Torah's discussion of the punishment for blasphemy, following the incident of the son of an Israelite woman who "blasphemed the Name" (Vayikra 24:10-16). The Torah here reiterates the principle of capital punishment by stoning for this severe transgression.

The Method of Execution

Rashi (Vayikra 24:23) explains that the phrase "מוֹת יוּמַת" ("shall surely be put to death") emphasizes that the execution must be carried out precisely as prescribed by Torah law. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 45a) elaborates on the procedure of stoning (סקילה), which involves pushing the condemned from a height before casting stones if the fall doesn't kill them.

Community Involvement in Execution

The requirement that "all the congregation shall stone him" teaches several important principles:

  • Rambam (Hilchos Sanhedrin 15:12) explains this emphasizes the gravity of the sin - the entire community must participate to demonstrate collective rejection of such behavior.
  • The Midrash (Sifra Emor 19:7) notes this public participation serves as a deterrent against similar transgressions.
  • Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) discusses how witnesses must initiate the stoning to maintain proper judicial procedure.

Location of Execution

The specification "outside the camp" carries symbolic meaning:

  • Rashi (Bamidbar 15:36) explains this removes impurity from the Israelite camp.
  • Ramban (Vayikra 24:23) adds that executing outside the camp demonstrates that such behavior has no place among the holy nation.
  • The Talmud (Sanhedrin 42b) derives from this the general principle that executions must be performed outside settled areas.

Theological Implications

The severity of this punishment reflects the Torah's view of blasphemy as an attack on the fundamental relationship between God and Israel. The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:41) explains that blasphemy undermines the moral foundation of society by denying the source of divine authority.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 42b
The verse is referenced in the discussion of the laws concerning stoning as a form of capital punishment, particularly the requirement that the execution take place outside the camp.
📖 Sotah 8b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing communal participation in certain punishments and the procedures for carrying out stoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 15:35 mean?
A: Numbers 15:35 describes the punishment for a man who violated the Shabbat by gathering wood, which was considered a serious transgression. The Torah commands that he be put to death by stoning outside the camp, carried out by the entire congregation. This emphasizes the severity of breaking Shabbat laws in Jewish tradition.
Q: Why was stoning the punishment in this verse?
A: Stoning (סקילה) was one of the four methods of capital punishment in Jewish law (Sanhedrin 49b). It was reserved for severe sins, including Shabbat desecration, to underscore the gravity of the offense. The public nature of the punishment also served as a deterrent and reinforced communal responsibility in upholding Torah law.
Q: Why was the execution done outside the camp?
A: Rashi explains (based on Sanhedrin 42b) that executions were performed outside the camp to avoid defiling the sacred space where the Divine Presence rested. This teaches respect for holiness and the separation between purity and impurity in Jewish tradition.
Q: Does this law apply today?
A: While the Torah's laws remain eternally valid, practical capital punishment requires a functioning Sanhedrin (high court) and Temple conditions, which we do not have today (Rambam, Hilchot Sanhedrin 14). However, the verse still teaches us the supreme value of Shabbat observance in Jewish life.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse?
A: This verse teaches the importance of Shabbat observance and the seriousness with which Jewish law views its violation. The Midrash (Tanchuma Shelach 33) derives from this incident that Shabbat is equal to all other commandments, showing its foundational role in Jewish practice and identity.