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Numbers 25:3 - Idolatry provokes divine wrath

Numbers 25:3 - במדבר 25:3

Hebrew Text

וַיִּצָּמֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבַעַל פְּעוֹר וַיִּחַר־אַף יְהוָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And Yisra᾽el joined himself to Ba῾al-pe῾or: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Va'yitzamed Yisrael l'va'al p'or va'yikhar-af Adonai b'Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּצָּ֥מֶד יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְבַ֣עַל פְּע֑וֹר וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
וַיִּצָּ֥מֶד יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְבַ֣עַל פְּע֑וֹר וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Bamidbar 25:3) describes a grave sin committed by Bnei Yisrael at Shittim, where they engaged in idolatry and immorality with the daughters of Moav, worshiping the idol Ba'al Pe'or. This incident occurred shortly before Bnei Yisrael were to enter Eretz Yisrael, marking a severe spiritual downfall.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that "וַיִּצָּמֶד" (joined himself) implies a clinging attachment, indicating that Bnei Yisrael became deeply entangled in the worship of Ba'al Pe'or. He notes that this idolatry was particularly abominable because it involved degrading acts of worship, such as defecating before the idol—a perversion of holiness.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Avodah Zarah (1:16), Rambam discusses how the worship of Ba'al Pe'or was unique in its emphasis on debasement rather than reverence. The sin was not merely idolatry but also a rejection of kedushah (holiness), which is why it provoked such severe divine anger.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:23) states that Bnei Yisrael were enticed by the Moabite women, who lured them into idolatry through seduction. This reflects the danger of yetzer hara (evil inclination) exploiting physical desires to lead one astray.
  • Another Midrash (Sanhedrin 106a) compares the worship of Ba'al Pe'or to a "mockery of holiness," as its rituals inverted proper divine service, emphasizing impurity instead of purity.

Divine Anger and Consequences

The phrase "וַיִּחַר־אַף יְהוָה" (the anger of the Lord was kindled) underscores the severity of the sin. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 60b) explains that this anger resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 Jews (Bamidbar 25:9), demonstrating the dire consequences of abandoning Torah values for idolatry and immorality.

Lessons for Today

This episode serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of assimilation into foreign cultures. The Netziv (in Ha'amek Davar) emphasizes that the sin of Ba'al Pe'or was a failure to maintain boundaries between kedushah and tumah (holiness and impurity), a lesson relevant in all generations.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 106a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the incident of Baal Peor and the consequences of Israel's idolatry.
📖 Avodah Zarah 44b
Mentioned in the context of discussing idol worship and the punishments that befell Israel for their sins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'joined himself to Ba'al Pe'or' mean in Numbers 25:3?
A: The verse describes how the Israelites became involved in idolatry by worshiping the Moabite deity Ba'al Pe'or. Rashi explains that this included immoral acts and idol worship, which were severe sins that angered Hashem.
Q: Why was Hashem angry with Israel in Numbers 25:3?
A: Hashem was angry because the Israelites abandoned their covenant with Him and engaged in idolatry with Ba'al Pe'or. The Rambam teaches that idolatry is one of the gravest sins in Judaism, as it rejects the foundation of our faith in the One true G-d.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 25:3 today?
A: This verse teaches the danger of assimilation and foreign influences that can lead us away from Torah values. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 106a) warns that the incident of Ba'al Pe'or shows how easily people can be drawn to improper behavior when they are not spiritually vigilant.
Q: How did the Israelites get involved with Ba'al Pe'or?
A: According to the Midrash (Numbers Rabbah 20:23), the Moabites and Midianites deliberately set a trap by sending their women to entice the Israelite men into sin. This led first to immoral behavior and then to idol worship of Ba'al Pe'or.
Q: What was the consequence of Israel's sin with Ba'al Pe'or?
A: The consequence was a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:9). Pinchas (Phinehas) later stopped the plague by taking bold action against the sinners, showing that standing up for Torah values can bring atonement.