Numbers 35:33 - Blood defiles - justice purifies land

Verse Context (Bamidbar 35:33)

This verse appears in the context of the laws concerning the cities of refuge and the prohibition of murder. The Torah emphasizes the severe spiritual consequences of bloodshed, stating that the land becomes spiritually defiled ("תַחֲנִיפוּ") when innocent blood is shed. The verse underscores the principle that atonement for murder cannot be achieved through any means other than justice being served upon the perpetrator.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that the term "תַחֲנִיפוּ" (pollute) refers to the land becoming "flattering" or "complacent" in the face of injustice—meaning the land tolerates sin and does not yield its produce properly as a consequence. He further clarifies that the phrase "כִּי־אִם בְּדַם שֹׁפְכוֹ" ("but by the blood of him that shed it") teaches that the only rectification for murder is the execution of the murderer by the court (Sanhedrin), as there is no other form of atonement.

Rambam's Perspective (Hilchos Rotzeach)

Maimonides (Rambam) elaborates in Hilchos Rotzeach (Laws of Murderers) that the land of Israel has a unique sanctity and is particularly sensitive to moral corruption. The spilling of innocent blood defiles the land and disrupts the Divine Presence (Shechinah). He emphasizes that justice must be carried out swiftly to purify the land, as delaying justice compounds the spiritual damage.

Talmudic Interpretation (Makkos 10a-11b)

The Talmud discusses this verse in the context of the cities of refuge and the role of the Sanhedrin. It teaches that the phrase "וְלָאָרֶץ לֹא־יְכֻפַּר" ("the land cannot be cleansed") implies that even if the murderer flees to a city of refuge, the land remains defiled until proper justice is administered. The Gemara stresses that the atonement is only complete when the murderer is judged appropriately—either through execution (if intentional) or through exile (if accidental).

Midrashic Insight (Bamidbar Rabbah 23:13)

The Midrash elaborates that the land "cries out" before Hashem when blood is shed unjustly, echoing the story of Hevel (Abel), whose blood called out from the earth (Bereishis 4:10). The Midrash warns that unaddressed bloodshed leads to exile, as seen in the destruction of the First and Second Temples, which were precipitated, in part, by rampant murder.

Key Halachic Principles

• The land of Israel cannot tolerate unresolved murder—justice must be served to restore spiritual balance.
• There is no substitute for justice; even repentance (teshuvah) alone does not atone for murder without judicial action.
• The verse highlights the collective responsibility of society to uphold justice and not become complicit through inaction.