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Numbers 34:11 - Where are Israel's holy borders?

Numbers 34:11 - במדבר 34:11

Hebrew Text

וְיָרַד הַגְּבֻל מִשְּׁפָם הָרִבְלָה מִקֶּדֶם לָעָיִן וְיָרַד הַגְּבוּל וּמָחָה עַל־כֶּתֶף יָם־כִּנֶּרֶת קֵדְמָה׃

English Translation

and the border shall go down from Shefam to Rivla, on the east side of ῾Ayin; and the border descend, and shall reach the eastward projection of the Sea of Kinneret:

Transliteration

Ve-yarad ha-gvul mi-shfam ha-rivla mi-kedem la-ayin ve-yarad ha-gvul u-macha al-ketef yam kineret kedma.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְיָרַ֨ד הַגְּבֻ֧ל מִשְּׁפָ֛ם הָרִבְלָ֖ה מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעָ֑יִן וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּבֻ֔ל וּמָחָ֛ה עַל־כֶּ֥תֶף יָם־כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה׃
וְיָרַ֨ד הַגְּבֻ֧ל מִשְּׁפָ֛ם הָרִבְלָ֖ה מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעָ֑יִן וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּבֻ֔ל וּמָחָ֛ה עַל־כֶּ֥תֶף יָם־כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Geographical Context in the Torah

This verse (Numbers 34:11) describes the northern border of Eretz Yisrael as it was delineated during the division of the land among the tribes. The border runs from Shefam to Rivla, east of Ayin, and descends to the eastern shore of the Sea of Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee). Rashi (on Numbers 34:11) explains that "Shefam" refers to a high place, and "Rivla" is a location near the Jordan River. The Sea of Kinneret is significant as it marks a key boundary in the tribal allotments.

Significance of the Sea of Kinneret

The Sea of Kinneret, also called Yam Kinneret in the Torah, holds spiritual and historical importance. The Talmud (Megillah 6a) notes that it is named for its shape, which resembles a kinor (a harp), due to its curved shoreline. Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 1:7) discusses its halachic status regarding agricultural laws, as it was a fertile region where many mitzvot tied to the land applied.

Border Descriptions in Jewish Tradition

The precise delineation of borders in the Torah serves both practical and spiritual purposes. The Sifrei (on Numbers 34) emphasizes that these boundaries were divinely ordained to define the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael. The Radak (on Joshua 13:27) further explains that the eastern side of the Sea of Kinneret was part of the territory given to the tribe of Naftali, highlighting the tribal divisions based on these borders.

Halachic Implications of the Border

  • The borders of Eretz Yisrael determine where certain agricultural mitzvot (e.g., terumot, ma'aserot) are obligatory (Rambam, Hilchot Terumot 1:5).
  • The Kinneret's eastern shore marked a transitional zone between the full obligations of Eretz Yisrael and the lesser requirements of surrounding lands (Tosefta Shevi'it 4:11).
  • Some opinions in the Talmud (Gittin 8a) discuss whether areas near the Kinneret were considered fully part of Eretz Yisrael for matters of marriage and divorce documents.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Sea of Kinneret mentioned in Numbers 34:11?
A: The Sea of Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee or Lake Tiberias, is a freshwater lake in northern Israel. In Jewish tradition, it is significant as a source of water and fish, and it is mentioned in the Torah as part of the borders of the Land of Israel. Rashi explains that it is called 'Kinneret' because its shape resembles a harp (kinor in Hebrew).
Q: Why does Numbers 34:11 describe borders of the Land of Israel?
A: Numbers 34 describes the boundaries of the Land of Israel as it was to be divided among the twelve tribes. This verse is important because it defines the eastern border of the land. According to Rambam (Maimonides), these borders are not just geographical but also have spiritual significance, marking the area where the mitzvot (commandments) tied to the land apply.
Q: What is the significance of the border descending to the Sea of Kinneret?
A: The border descending to the Sea of Kinneret marks the eastern boundary of the Land of Israel. This was a key landmark for the tribes settling in the region. The Talmud (Bava Batra 55b) discusses how these borders were carefully measured and assigned, showing the precision with which Hashem designated the inheritance for each tribe.
Q: How does the description of borders in Numbers 34:11 apply today?
A: While the exact borders described in this verse relate to the biblical division of the Land of Israel, Jewish tradition holds that these boundaries remain spiritually significant. The Mishnah (Shevi'it 6:1) discusses laws that apply specifically within these borders, such as agricultural mitzvot like shmita (the Sabbatical year). Thus, understanding these borders helps in observing Torah commandments tied to the land.