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Numbers 17:13 - Kohen halts death's spread

Numbers 17:13 - במדבר 17:13

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעֲמֹד בֵּין־הַמֵּתִים וּבֵין הַחַיִּים וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה׃

English Translation

And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Transliteration

Va-ya'amod bein ha-metim u-vein ha-chayim va-te'atzar ha-magefa.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד בֵּֽין־הַמֵּתִ֖ים וּבֵ֣ין הַֽחַיִּ֑ים וַתֵּעָצַ֖ר הַמַּגֵּפָֽה׃
וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד בֵּֽין־הַמֵּתִ֖ים וּבֵ֣ין הַֽחַיִּ֑ים וַתֵּעָצַ֖ר הַמַּגֵּפָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 17:13) describes the aftermath of Korach's rebellion, when a plague broke out among the Israelites as divine punishment. Aharon the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) intervenes by standing between the dead and the living, halting the plague with ketoret (incense) as commanded by Moshe.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Numbers 17:13) explains that Aharon "stood between the dead and the living" by physically positioning himself where the plague was active—between those already stricken and those still unharmed. The ketoret served as a protective barrier, as the verse states, "the plague was stayed." Rashi emphasizes that Aharon acted with great courage, risking his life to fulfill the mitzvah.

Rambam on the Power of Ketoret

In Hilchot Klei HaMikdash (2:5), Rambam teaches that the ketoret had the unique power to atone and halt plagues. This aligns with the Talmud's teaching (Yoma 44a) that the ketoret was instrumental in stopping divine wrath, as seen in this episode.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Korach 12) describes the plague as an angel of destruction holding a sword, frozen in place when Aharon offered the ketoret.
  • Bamidbar Rabbah (18:20) compares Aharon's intervention to Moshe's prayer after the Golden Calf—both acts of self-sacrifice to save Israel.

Halachic Significance

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 132:2) cites this verse as a source for the custom to recite "V'hu Rachum" (a prayer invoking the merit of ketoret) during times of distress, reinforcing the enduring power of Aharon's act as a model for seeking divine mercy.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 85b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the power of repentance and how it can avert divine punishment, similar to how Aaron stood between the dead and the living to stop the plague.
📖 Rosh Hashanah 17b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing God's mercy and the cessation of plagues as a demonstration of divine compassion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'he stood between the dead and the living' mean in Numbers 17:13?
A: This refers to Aharon the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) who courageously stood with his incense burner between those who had already died in the plague and those who were still alive, stopping the plague's spread. Rashi explains that Aharon's act of atonement with the ketoret (incense) demonstrated the power of teshuvah (repentance) to halt divine punishment.
Q: Why was Aharon able to stop the plague in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Shabbat 89a) teaches that the ketoret (incense) had special power to stop plagues, as we see later during King David's time (2 Samuel 24). Rambam explains in Moreh Nevuchim that this demonstrates how righteous leaders can intercede for their people through prayer and proper service of Hashem.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 17:13 today?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18) derives that this episode teaches the importance of righteous leadership and the power of prayer. Just as Aharon's actions stopped the plague, our sages teach that tzedakah (charity), tefillah (prayer) and teshuvah (repentance) can avert harsh decrees even today.