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Numbers 9:6 - Impure men seek Pesach solution.

Numbers 9:6 - במדבר 9:6

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי אֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ טְמֵאִים לְנֶפֶשׁ אָדָם וְלֹא־יָכְלוּ לַעֲשֹׂת־הַפֶּסַח בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיִּקְרְבוּ לִפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה וְלִפְנֵי אַהֲרֹן בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא׃

English Translation

And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moshe and before Aharon on that day:

Transliteration

Vay'hi anashim asher hayu t'me'im l'nefesh adam v'lo yachlu la'asot ha'pesach ba'yom hahu vayikrevu lifnei Moshe v'lifnei Aharon ba'yom hahu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֣י אֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָי֤וּ טְמֵאִים֙ לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֔ם וְלֹא־יָכְל֥וּ לַעֲשֹׂת־הַפֶּ֖סַח בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֛ה וְלִפְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן בַּיּ֥וֹם הַהֽוּא׃
וַיְהִ֣י אֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָי֤וּ טְמֵאִים֙ לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֔ם וְלֹא־יָכְל֥וּ לַעֲשֹׂת־הַפֶּ֖סַח בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֛ה וְלִפְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן בַּיּ֥וֹם הַהֽוּא׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 9:6) describes a situation where certain individuals were unable to bring the Korban Pesach (Paschal offering) at its designated time because they were in a state of tum'ah (ritual impurity) due to contact with a human corpse. They approached Moshe and Aharon to seek guidance, leading to the institution of Pesach Sheni (the "Second Passover") as a remedy for those who missed the original date.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that these men were involved in the mitzvah of carrying Yosef's bones out of Egypt (as mentioned in Shemot 13:19), which rendered them tamei (ritually impure). Their inability to bring the Korban Pesach was due to the halachic principle that one who is tamei may not partake of sacrificial meat (see Vayikra 7:20). Rashi emphasizes their righteousness—they approached Moshe and Aharon immediately, demonstrating their eagerness to fulfill the mitzvah despite their unavoidable impurity.

Halachic Implications

  • Pesach Sheni: The Gemara (Pesachim 93a) derives from this episode that Hashem established Pesach Sheni (14 Iyar) as an opportunity for those who were tamei or too distant to bring the Korban Pesach on its original date.
  • Exclusions: Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 5:1-2) rules that Pesach Sheni applies only to those who were ritually impure or on a distant journey—not to those who willfully neglected the mitzvah.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:7) highlights the men's sincerity, noting that they could have rationalized their exemption due to their involvement in the mitzvah of burying the dead (a higher-priority mitzvah). Instead, they sought a way to participate in the Korban Pesach, teaching the importance of striving for mitzvot even when obstacles arise.

Moral Lesson

This episode underscores the Torah's compassion in providing a second chance for those with legitimate reasons for missing a mitzvah. It also teaches that one should proactively seek solutions to spiritual challenges, as these men did by approaching Moshe and Aharon rather than passively accepting their exclusion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 66a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning those who are ritually impure and their ability to observe Passover.
📖 Zevachim 101b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the timing and requirements for offering the Passover sacrifice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why couldn't these men celebrate Passover on time?
A: The men were ritually impure (tamei) due to contact with a dead body, which made them temporarily unable to participate in the Passover offering. The Torah prohibits those in a state of tum'ah (ritual impurity) from bringing sacrifices (Rashi on Numbers 9:6, based on Talmud Pesachim 66b).
Q: What does this teach us about the importance of Passover?
A: This shows how deeply these men valued the mitzvah of Passover - they were distressed at being excluded and approached Moshe to seek a solution (Rambam, Hilchot Korban Pesach 5:1). Their sincerity led to the establishment of Pesach Sheni (the 'Second Passover').
Q: Why did they go to Moshe and Aharon?
A: As the spiritual leaders, Moshe and Aharon were responsible for teaching Torah law. When these men encountered a unique situation not explicitly addressed in the Torah, they properly sought guidance from the authorities (Sifrei Bamidbar 9:6).
Q: What is the significance of mentioning they were impure 'by a dead body'?
A: The Torah specifies this to teach that only this type of impurity (tum'at met) prevented participation. Other types of ritual impurity (like tzara'at) wouldn't exclude someone from Passover (Talmud Pesachim 93a, based on the precise wording).
Q: How does this apply to Jews today who can't celebrate Passover properly?
A: While we don't have the Temple service today, this teaches that when one sincerely desires to fulfill a mitzvah but is prevented, Hashem provides solutions (like Pesach Sheni). It also shows the importance of consulting Torah authorities when halachic questions arise (Mishnah Berurah 489:1).