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Numbers 33:55 - Unremoved foes become tormentors?

Numbers 33:55 - במדבר 33:55

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־לֹא תוֹרִישׁוּ אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵיכֶם וְהָיָה אֲשֶׁר תּוֹתִירוּ מֵהֶם לְשִׂכִּים בְּעֵינֵיכֶם וְלִצְנִינִם בְּצִדֵּיכֶם וְצָרֲרוּ אֶתְכֶם עַל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹשְׁבִים בָּהּ׃

English Translation

But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those whom you allow to remain of them shall be as thorns in your eyes, and stings in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein you dwell.

Transliteration

Ve-im lo torishu et-yoshvei ha-aretz mipneichem ve-haya asher totiru mehem lesikim be-eineichem ve-litzninim be-tzideichem ve-tzararu etchem al-ha-aretz asher atem yoshvim bah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־לֹ֨א תוֹרִ֜ישׁוּ אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֘רֶץ֮ מִפְּנֵיכֶם֒ וְהָיָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תּוֹתִ֣ירוּ מֵהֶ֔ם לְשִׂכִּים֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וְלִצְנִינִ֖ם בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑ם וְצָרְר֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם עַל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם יֹשְׁבִ֥ים בָּֽהּ׃
וְאִם־לֹ֨א תוֹרִ֜ישׁוּ אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֘רֶץ֮ מִפְּנֵיכֶם֒ וְהָיָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תּוֹתִ֣ירוּ מֵהֶ֔ם לְשִׂכִּים֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וְלִצְנִינִ֖ם בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑ם וְצָרְר֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם עַל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם יֹשְׁבִ֥ים בָּֽהּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context and Source

The verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 33:55, where Hashem warns Bnei Yisrael about the consequences of failing to fully dispossess the inhabitants of Eretz Canaan upon their entry. This commandment is part of the broader mitzvah to conquer and settle the land, ensuring it remains a place where Torah values can flourish without foreign idolatrous influences.

Rashi’s Explanation

Rashi interprets the phrase "לְשִׂכִּים בְּעֵינֵיכֶם" ("as thorns in your eyes") to mean that the remaining nations will cause spiritual harm—like a thorn that obstructs vision, they will lead Bnei Yisrael astray from Torah observance. Similarly, "וְלִצְנִינִם בְּצִדֵּיכֶם" ("and stings in your sides") refers to physical persecution, as the nations will harass them militarily and politically.

Rambam’s Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 7:1-2) emphasizes the halachic obligation to remove all idolatrous influences from Eretz Yisrael. He explains that allowing these nations to remain would inevitably lead to intermarriage and assimilation, undermining the spiritual integrity of the Jewish people. The "thorns and stings" symbolize the gradual erosion of Jewish identity and sovereignty.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Tanchuma (Masei 7) compares the Canaanite nations to weeds in a vineyard—if not uprooted, they choke the growth of the vines (i.e., Klal Yisrael). The Midrash warns that failure to fulfill this mitzvah would result in the nations becoming a constant source of conflict, as seen later in Sefer Shoftim (Book of Judges) with the cycles of sin and oppression.

Practical Implications

  • Spiritual Danger: The verse underscores the risk of allowing corrupting influences to persist, as they may lead Bnei Yisrael to idolatry (Avodah Zarah).
  • National Security: Historically, the Philistines and other groups became adversaries who waged war against Israel, fulfilling the prophecy of "vexing you in the land."
  • Moral Lesson: The Torah teaches that half-measures in fulfilling mitzvot can have long-term consequences, emphasizing the importance of complete commitment to Hashem’s commandments.

Contemporary Reflection

While the specific mitzvah of driving out the Canaanite nations applies to the conquest era, Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that the principle remains relevant: any ideology or influence antithetical to Torah values must be resisted to preserve the sanctity of Jewish life. The "thorns and stings" serve as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 33:55 mean?
A: Numbers 33:55 is a warning from Hashem to the Jewish people as they were about to enter the Land of Israel. It means that if they do not fully drive out the inhabitants of the land, those who remain will cause trouble and suffering for them, like thorns in their eyes and stings in their sides. Rashi explains that these remaining nations will harass and oppress the Jewish people in their own land.
Q: Why is this verse important?
A: This verse is important because it teaches us the consequences of not following Hashem's commandments completely. The Torah is warning that allowing negative influences to remain can lead to ongoing difficulties. The Rambam (Maimonides) discusses how this principle applies spiritually as well—just as the Jewish people needed to remove harmful influences from the land, we must also remove negative influences from our lives.
Q: What can we learn from Numbers 33:55 today?
A: We learn that compromise with negative influences—whether in our environment, relationships, or personal behavior—can lead to long-term problems. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 20b) discusses how surrounding ourselves with harmful influences can spiritually weaken us. This verse reminds us to be vigilant in maintaining holiness in our lives and surroundings.
Q: How does this verse apply to our lives today?
A: While we are not currently conquering the Land of Israel, the principle applies to avoiding harmful spiritual influences. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah) teaches that just as the Israelites were commanded to remove idolatrous nations, we must distance ourselves from negative behaviors and influences that can lead us away from Torah values.
Q: What does 'thorns in your eyes' and 'stings in your sides' symbolize?
A: Rashi explains that 'thorns in your eyes' symbolize constant irritation and obstruction—like a thorn that makes it hard to see clearly. 'Stings in your sides' represent persistent pain and harassment. These metaphors teach that allowing negative influences to remain will cause ongoing spiritual and physical challenges, as discussed in the Talmud (Sotah 35b).