Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the mitzvah of setting up Arei Miklat (cities of refuge) to protect someone who kills another Yid unintentionally. Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu that upon crossing the Jordan, Bnei Yisrael must designate six such cities—three in Eretz Yisrael and three on the other side of the Jordan—to serve as a refuge from the Goel HaDam (the blood-avenger) until the case can be properly tried before the Beis Din.

We also learn the crucial halachic distinctions between a deliberate murderer, who must face the death penalty based on the testimony of kosher witnesses, and an accidental killer, who must flee to the Ir Miklat and remain there until the Kohen Gadol passes away. The Torah then addresses the plea of the leaders of the tribe of Menashe regarding the daughters of Zelophehad, ensuring that their inheritance does not transfer to another tribe through marriage.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheלֵּאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

דַּבֵּרSpeakאֶלtoבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְאָמַרְתָּand you shall sayאֲלֵהֶםto themכִּיWhenאַתֶּםyouעֹבְרִיםare crossingאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּןthe Yardenאַרְצָהinto the land ofכְּנָעַן׃Kenaan

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וְהִקְרִיתֶםand you shall prepareלָכֶםfor yourselvesעָרִיםcitiesעָרֵיcities ofמִקְלָטrefugeתִּהְיֶינָהthey shall beלָכֶםfor youוְנָסand shall fleeשָׁמָּהthereרֹצֵחַa manslayerמַכֵּהwho strikesנֶפֶשׁa soulבִּשְׁגָגָה׃unintentionally

רַשִׁ״י

והקריתם.And you shall prepareאֵיןthere is notהַקְרָיָהpreparingאֶלָּאbutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַזְמָנָה,invitationוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"כִּי"Becauseהִקְרָהmade readyה'Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godלְפָנָי"before me"בראשיתBereishisכ"ז27:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וְהָיוּand they shall beלָכֶםfor youהֶעָרִיםthe citiesלְמִקְלָטfor refugeמִגֹּאֵלfrom the redeemerוְלֹאand notיָמוּתshall dieהָרֹצֵחַthe murdererעַדuntilעָמְדוֹhis standingלִפְנֵיbeforeהָעֵדָהthe congregationלַמִּשְׁפָּט׃for judgment

רַשִׁ״י

מגאל.from the avengerמִפְּנֵיon account ofגּוֹאֵלthe avenger ofהַדָּם,the bloodשֶׁהוּאwho isקָרוֹבa relativeלַנִּרְצָח:of the murdered one

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְהֶעָרִיםAnd the citiesאֲשֶׁרthatתִּתֵּנוּyou shall giveשֵׁשׁsixעָרֵיcities ofמִקְלָטrefugeתִּהְיֶינָהthey shall beלָכֶם׃for you

רַשִׁ״י

ששSixעריcities ofמקלט.refugeמַגִּידthis tellsשֶׁאַעַ"פִּthat even thoughשֶׁהִבְדִּילthat set asideמֹשֶׁהMosheבְּחַיָּיוin his lifetimeשָׁלוֹשׁthreeעָרִיםcitiesבְּעֵבֶרon the side ofהַיַּרְדֵּן,the Jordanלֹאnotהָיוּdid theyקוֹלְטוֹתprovide refugeעַדuntilשֶׁנִּבְחֲרוּthat were chosenשָׁלֹשׁthreeשֶׁנָּתַןthat gaveיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofכְּנַעַןKenaanספרי;SifreiמכותMakkotט'9:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

אֵת—שְׁלֹשׁthree ofהֶעָרִיםthe citiesתִּתְּנוּyou shall giveמֵעֵבֶרfrom the sideלַיַּרְדֵּןof the Jordanוְאֵתand —שְׁלֹשׁthree ofהֶעָרִיםthe citiesתִּתְּנוּyou shall giveבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofכְּנָעַןKenaanעָרֵיcities ofמִקְלָטrefugeתִּהְיֶינָה׃they shall be

רַשִׁ״י

את—שלשthreeהעריםthe citiesוגו'.etc.אַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁבְּאֶרֶץthat in the land ofכְּנַעַןCanaanתִּשְׁעָהnineשְׁבָטִיםtribesוְכָאןand hereאֵינָןthey are notאֶלָּאbutשְׁנַיִםtwoוָחֵצִי,and a halfהִשְׁוָהHe made equalמִנְיַןthe number ofעָרֵיcities ofהַמִּקְלָטthe refugeשֶׁלָּהֶם,of theirsמִשּׁוּםbecauseדִּבְגִלְעָדthat in Gileadנְפִישֵׁיwere numerousרוֹצְחִים,murderersדִּכְתִיבas it is writtenהושעHosheaו'6"גִּלְעָדGilead isקִרְיַתa city ofפֹּעֲלֵיworkers ofאָוֶןiniquityעֲקֻבָּהcoveredמִדָּם"with bloodשםthere:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

לִבְנֵיFor the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְלַגֵּרand for the convertוְלַתּוֹשָׁבand for the residentבְּתוֹכָםamong themתִּהְיֶינָהshall beשֵׁשׁsix ofהֶעָרִיםthe citiesהָאֵלֶּהtheseלְמִקְלָטfor refugeלָנוּסto fleeשָׁמָּהthereכָּלanyoneמַכֵּהwho strikesנֶפֶשׁa soulבִּשְׁגָגָה׃unintentionally

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְאִםAnd ifבִּכְלִיwith an instrument ofבַרְזֶלironהִכָּהוּhe struck himוַיָּמֹתand he diedרֹצֵחַa murdererהוּאhe isמוֹתsurelyיוּמַתshall be put to deathהָרֹצֵחַ׃the murderer

רַשִׁ״י

ואםAnd ifבכליwith an instrument ofברזלironהכהו.he smote himאֵיןnotזֶהthisמְדַבֵּרspeaksבְּהוֹרֵגof one who killsבְּשׁוֹגֵגinadvertentlyהַסָּמוּךְwhich is adjacentלוֹ,to itאֶלָּאbutבְּהוֹרֵגof one who killsבְּמֵזִיד,intentionallyוּבָאand it comesלְלַמֵּדto teachשֶׁהַהוֹרֵגthat one who killsבְּכָלwith anyדָּבָרobjectצָרִיךְneedsשֶׁיְּהֵאthat there beבוֹin itשִׁעוּרa sizeכְּדֵיsufficientלְהָמִית,to cause deathשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבְּכֻלָּםregarding all of them"אֲשֶׁרby whichיָמוּתone may dieבּוֹ",by itדִּמְתַּרְגְּמִינַןwhich we translate"דְּהִיאwhich isכְמִסַּתof a sizeדִּימוּתthat one may dieבֵּיהּ",by itחוּץexceptמִןfromהַבַּרְזֶל,the ironשֶׁגָּלוּיfor it is revealedוְיָדוּעַand knownלִפְנֵיbeforeהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneשֶׁהַבַּרְזֶלthat ironמֵמִיתkillsבְּכָלin anyשֶׁהוּא,amountאֲפִלּוּevenמַחַט,a needleלְפִיכָךְthereforeלֹאnotנָתְנָהgaveבוֹto itתּוֹרָהthe Torahשִׁעוּרa sizeלִכְתֹּבto writeבּוֹconcerning itאֲשֶׁרby whichיָמוּתone may dieבּוֹ;by itוְאִםAnd ifתֹּאמַרyou sayבְּהוֹרֵגof one who killsבְּשׁוֹגֵגinadvertentlyהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר,speaksהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysלְמַטָּהbelowאוֹOrבכלwith anyאבןstoneאשרby whichימותone may dieבהby itבלאwithoutראותseeingוְגוֹ',etc.לִמֵּדthis teachesעַלconcerningהָאֲמוּרִיםthose mentionedלְמַעְלָהaboveשֶׁבְּהוֹרֵגthat of one who killsבְּמֵזִידintentionallyהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר:speaks

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְאִםAnd ifבְּאֶבֶןwith a stone ofיָדthe handאֲשֶׁרthatיָמוּתhe will dieבָּהּby itהִכָּהוּhe struck himוַיָּמֹתand he diedרֹצֵחַa murdererהוּאhe isמוֹתsurelyיוּמַתshall be put to deathהָרֹצֵחַ׃the murderer

רַשִׁ״י

באבןWith a stone ofיד.the handשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itמְלֹאthe fullness ofיָדa handספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichימותhe may dieבה.by itשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itשִׁעוּרa measureלְהָמִית,to cause deathכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ;like its Targumלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is said"וְהִכָּהand he smoteאִישׁa manאֶת—רֵעֵהוּhis fellowבְּאֶבֶן"with a stoneשמותShemosכ"א21,וְלֹאand notנָתַןdid it giveבָּהּin itשִׁעוּר,a measureיָכוֹלone might thinkכָּלanyשֶׁהוּא,size at allלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is saidאשרwhichימותhe may dieבהby it:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

אוֹOrבִּכְלִיwith a vessel ofעֵץwood ofיָדthe handאֲשֶׁרthatיָמוּתhe could dieבּוֹby itהִכָּהוּhe struck himוַיָּמֹתand he diedרֹצֵחַa murdererהוּאhe isמוֹתsurelyיוּמַתshall be put to deathהָרֹצֵחַ׃the murderer

רַשִׁ״י

אוOrבכליwith an instrument ofעץwoodיד.in the handלְפִיBecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidשםthere"וְכִי"And ifיַכֶּהsmitesאִישׁa manאֶת—עַבְדּוֹhis slaveאוֹorאֶת—אֲמָתוֹhis maidservantבַּשֵּׁבֶט",with a rod"יָכוֹלone might thinkכָּלany sizeשֶׁהוּא,that it isלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is said"בְּעֵץ"with woodאֲשֶׁרwhichיָמוּתhe will dieבּוֹ"by it"—שֶׁיְּהֵאthat there must beבּוֹin itכְּדֵיenoughלְהָמִיתto cause deathספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

גֹּאֵלThe redeemer ofהַדָּםthe bloodהוּאheיָמִיתshall put to deathאֶת—הָרֹצֵחַthe murdererבְּפִגְעוֹupon his encounteringבוֹhimהוּאheיְמִיתֶנּוּ׃shall put him to death

רַשִׁ״י

בפגעוwhen he meetsבו.himאֲפִלּוּevenבְּתוֹךְinsideעָרֵיthe cities ofמִקְלָט:refuge

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וְאִםAnd ifבְּשִׂנְאָהin hatredיֶהְדָּפֶנּוּhe pushes himאוֹorהִשְׁלִיךְhe threwעָלָיוupon himבִּצְדִיָּהwith designוַיָּמֹת׃and he dies

רַשִׁ״י

בצדיה.With laying in waitכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its Targum"בְּכָמְנָא"in ambush—בְּמַאֲרָב:in wait

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

אוֹorבְאֵיבָהin enmityהִכָּהוּhe struck himבְיָדוֹwith his handוַיָּמֹתand he diedמוֹתsurelyיוּמַתshall be put to deathהַמַּכֶּהthe assailantרֹצֵחַa murdererהוּאhe isגֹּאֵלthe redeemer ofהַדָּםthe bloodיָמִיתshall put to deathאֶת—הָרֹצֵחַthe murdererבְּפִגְעוֹupon his encounterבוֹ׃with him

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וְאִםBut ifבְּפֶתַעsuddenlyבְּלֹאwithoutאֵיבָהenmityהֲדָפוֹhe pushed himאוֹorהִשְׁלִיךְhe hurledעָלָיוupon himכָּלanyכְּלִיvesselבְּלֹאwithoutצְדִיָּה׃intent

רַשִׁ״י

בפתע.suddenlyבְּאֹנֶס,by accidentוְתַרְגּוּמוֹand its translation"בִּתְכֵיף",in close proximityשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasסָמוּךְcloseלוֹto himוְלֹאand notהָיָהthere wasלוֹto himשָׁהוּתtimeלְהִזָּהֵרto be carefulעָלָיו:concerning him

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

אוֹorבְכָלwith anyאֶבֶןstoneאֲשֶׁרwhichיָמוּתhe may dieבָּהּby itבְּלֹאwithoutרְאוֹתseeingוַיַּפֵּלand he droppedעָלָיוupon himוַיָּמֹתand he diedוְהוּאand heלֹאwas notאוֹיֵבan enemyלוֹto himוְלֹאand notמְבַקֵּשׁseekingרָעָתוֹ׃his harm

רַשִׁ״י

אוorבכלwith anyאבןstoneאשרwherebyימותone may dieבה.by itהִכָּהוּ:he smote him

רַשִׁ״י

בלאWithoutראות.seeingשֶׁלֹּאthat notרָאָהוּ:he saw him

רַשִׁ״י

ויפלand he castעליו.upon himמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּthey saidהַהוֹרֵגone who killsדֶּרֶךְby way ofיְרִידָהdescentגּוֹלֶה,goes into exileדֶּרֶךְby way ofעֲלִיָּהascentאֵינוֹis notגוֹלֶהgoing into exileמכותMakkosל'page 7:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְשָׁפְטוּand shall judgeהָעֵדָהthe assemblyבֵּיןbetweenהַמַּכֶּהthe strikerוּבֵיןand betweenגֹּאֵלthe redeemer ofהַדָּםthe bloodעַלaccording toהַמִּשְׁפָּטִיםthe lawsהָאֵלֶּה׃these

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְהִצִּילוּand shall rescueהָעֵדָהthe assemblyאֶת—הָרֹצֵחַthe killerמִיַּדfrom the hand ofגֹּאֵלthe redeemer ofהַדָּםthe bloodוְהֵשִׁיבוּand shall returnאֹתוֹhimהָעֵדָהthe assemblyאֶלtoעִירthe city ofמִקְלָטוֹhis refugeאֲשֶׁרwhereנָסhe fledשָׁמָּהthereוְיָשַׁבand he shall dwellבָּהּin itעַדuntilמוֹתthe death ofהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenהַגָּדֹלthe Gadolאֲשֶׁרwhomמָשַׁחhe anointedאֹתוֹhimבְּשֶׁמֶןwith the oil ofהַקֹּדֶשׁ׃holiness

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilמותthe death ofהכהןthe Kohenהגדול.the Highשֶׁהוּאbecause heבָאcomesלְהַשְׁרוֹתto cause to dwellשְׁכִינָהthe Shechinahבְיִשְׂרָאֵלin Israelוּלְהַאֲרִיךְand to lengthenיְמֵיהֶם,their daysוְהָרוֹצֵחַand the murdererבָּאcomesלְסַלֵּקto removeאֶת—הַשְּׁכִינָהthe Shechinahמִיִּשְׂרָאֵלfrom Israelוּמְקַצֵּרand shortensאֶת—יְמֵיthe days ofהַחַיִּים,the livingאֵינוֹhe is notכְדַאיworthyשֶׁיְּהֵאthat he should beלִפְנֵיbeforeכֹּהֵןa KohenגָּדוֹלHighספריSifrei;דָּבָרAn explanationאַחֵרanother—לְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat it wasלוֹupon himלְכֹהֵןfor the KohenגָּדוֹלHighלְהִתְפַּלֵּלto prayשֶׁלֹּאthat notתֶאֱרַעthere should occurתַּקָּלָהa mishapזוֹthisלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto Israelבְּחַיָּיוin his lifetimeעי'seeמכותMakkotי"א11a:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhoמשחanointedאותוhimבשמןwith the oil ofהקדש.holinessלְפִיaccording toפְשׁוּטוֹits plain senseמִןfromהַמִּקְרָאוֹתthe versesהַקְּצָרִיםthe abbreviatedהוּא,it isשֶׁלֹּאthat notפֵּרֵשׁit specifiedמִיwhoמְשָׁחוֹ,anointed himאֶלָּאbutכְּמוֹlikeאֲשֶׁרwhichמְשָׁחוֹanointed himהַמּוֹשֵׁחַthe anointerאוֹתוֹhimבְּשֶׁמֶןwith the oil ofהַקֹּדֶשׁ;holinessוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisדְרָשׁוּהוּexpounded itבְמַסֶּכֶתin the tractate ofמַכּוֹתMakkotשםthereלִרְאָיַתfor proof ofדָּבָר,a matterלְלַמֵּדto teachשֶׁאִםthat ifעַדuntilשֶׁלֹּאnotנִגְמַרwas finishedדִּינוֹhis judgmentמֵתdiedהַכֹּהֵןthe KohenגָּדוֹלGadolוּמִנּוּand they appointedאַחֵרanotherתַּחְתָּיו,in his steadוּלְאַחַרand afterמִכָּאןthisנִגְמַרwas finishedדִּינוֹ,his judgmentחוֹזֵרhe returnsבְּמִיתָתוֹat the deathשֶׁלofשֵׁנִי,the secondשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidאשרwhomמשחhe anointedאתוhim,וְכִיand is itהוּאheמוֹשְׁחוֹwho anoints himלַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenאוֹorהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenמָשַׁחanointedאוֹתוֹ?himאֶלָּאratherלְהָבִיאto includeאֶת—הַנִּמְשָׁחthe one anointedבְּיָמָיוin his daysשֶׁמַּחֲזִירוֹthat he returns himבְּמִיתָתוֹ:by his death

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְאִםAnd ifיָצֹאsurelyיֵצֵאgoes outהָרֹצֵחַthe murdererאֶת—גְּבוּלthe boundary ofעִירthe city ofמִקְלָטוֹhis refugeאֲשֶׁרwhereיָנוּסhe fleesשָׁמָּה׃there

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וּמָצָאand findsאֹתוֹhimגֹּאֵלthe redeemer ofהַדָּםthe bloodמִחוּץoutsideלִגְבוּלto the boundary ofעִירthe city ofמִקְלָטוֹhis refugeוְרָצַחand killsגֹּאֵלthe redeemer ofהַדָּםthe bloodאֶת—הָרֹצֵחַthe killerאֵיןthere is notלוֹfor himדָּם׃bloodguilt

רַשִׁ״י

איןthere is noלוfor himדם.blood guiltהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאheכְּהוֹרֵגis like one who killsאֶת—הַמֵּת,the dead manשֶׁאֵיןwho there is noלוֹfor himדָּם:blood

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

כִּיforבְעִירin the city ofמִקְלָטוֹhis refugeיֵשֵׁבhe must dwellעַדuntilמוֹתthe death ofהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenהַגָּדֹלthe Gadolוְאַחֲרֵיand afterמוֹתthe death ofהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenהַגָּדֹלthe Gadolיָשׁוּבshall returnהָרֹצֵחַthe manslayerאֶלtoאֶרֶץthe land ofאֲחֻזָּתוֹ׃his possession

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְהָיוּAnd they shall beאֵלֶּהtheseלָכֶםfor youלְחֻקַּתfor a statute ofמִשְׁפָּטjudgmentלְדֹרֹתֵיכֶםthroughout your generationsבְּכֹלin allמוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם׃your dwellings

רַשִׁ״י

בכלIn allמושבתיכם.your dwellingsלִמֵּדit teachesשֶׁתְּהֵאthat there shall beסַנְהֶדְרִיןa Sanhedrinקְטַנָּהminorנוֹהֶגֶתfunctioningבְּחוּצָהoutsideלָאָרֶץof the Landכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁנּוֹהֶגֶתthat it functionsבְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמכותMakkotז'7a:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

כָּלAnyמַכֵּהone who strikesנֶפֶשׁa soulלְפִיby the mouth ofעֵדִיםwitnessesיִרְצַחhe shall executeאֶת—הָרֹצֵחַthe murdererוְעֵדand a witnessאֶחָדsingleלֹאshall notיַעֲנֶהtestifyבְנֶפֶשׁagainst a soulלָמוּת׃to die

רַשִׁ״י

כלAnyמכהstriker ofנפשa soulוגו'.etc.הַבָּאone who comesלְהָרְגוֹto kill himעַלbecauseשֶׁהִכָּהthat he struckאֶת—הַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

לפיAccording toעדיםwitnessesירצח.he shall be executedשֶׁיָּעִידוּwho testifyשֶׁבְּמֵזִידthat intentionallyוּבְהַתְרָאָהand with warningהֲרָגוֹ:he killed him

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וְלֹאAnd you shall notתִקְחוּtakeכֹפֶרransomלְנֶפֶשׁfor the life ofרֹצֵחַa murdererאֲשֶׁרwhoהוּאheרָשָׁעis guiltyלָמוּתto dieכִּיbutמוֹתsurelyיוּמָת׃he shall be put to death

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd you shall notתקחוtakeכפר.ransomלֹאhe shall notיִפָּטֵרbe freedבְּמָמוֹןwith moneyכתובותKesubosל"ז37b:

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וְלֹאAnd notתִקְחוּshall you takeכֹפֶרransomלָנוּסto fleeאֶלtoעִירthe city ofמִקְלָטוֹhis refugeלָשׁוּבto returnלָשֶׁבֶתto dwellבָּאָרֶץin the landעַדuntilמוֹתthe death ofהַכֹּהֵן׃the Kohen

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notתקחוshall you takeכפרransomלנוסfor one fleeingאלtoעירthe city ofמקלטו.his refugeלְמִיfor oneשֶׁנָּסwho fledאֶלtoעִירa city ofמִקְלָט,refugeשֶׁהָרַגwho killedבְּשׁוֹגֵג,inadvertentlyאֵינוֹhe is notנִפְטָרexemptedמִגָּלוּתfrom exileבְּמָמוֹן,with moneyלִתֵּןto giveכֹּפֶרransomלשובto returnלשבתto dwellבארץin the landטֶרֶםbeforeיָמוּתdiesהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

לנוס.to fleeכְּמוֹis likeלַנָּס,one who fledכְּמוֹjust as"שׁוּבֵיthose returned fromמִלְחָמָה"battleמיכהMichaב'chapter 2—שֶׁשָּׁבוּwho returnedמִןfromהַמִּלְחָמָה,the battleוְכֵןand so too"נוּגֵיthose removedמִמּוֹעֵד"from the festivalצפניהZephaniahג'chapter 3,וְכֵןand so too"כִּיforמֻלִיםcircumcisedהָיוּ"they wereיהושעYehoshuaה'chapter 5;כַּאֲשֶׁרjust asתֹּאמַרyou sayשׁוּבreturnedעַלregardingמִיoneשֶׁשָּׁבwho returnedכְּבָר,alreadyוּמוּלand circumcisedעַלregardingשֶׁמָּלwho circumcisedכְּבָר,alreadyכֵּןsoתֹּאמַרyou can sayלָנוּסfledעַלregardingמִיoneשֶׁנָּסwho fledכְּבָר,alreadyוְקוֹרֵהוּand it calls himנוּס,fledכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayמֻבְרָח.made to fleeוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַרyou sayלָנוּסto flee—לִבְרֹחַ,to escapeוּתְפָרְשֵׁהוּand you explain itלֹאdo notתִקְחוּtakeכֹפֶרransomלְמִיfor oneשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasלוֹto himלִבְרֹחַto fleeלְפָטְרוֹto exempt himמִןfromהַגָּלוּתthe exileעי'seeספריSifrei,לֹאnotיָדַעְתִּיdo I knowהֵיאַךְhowיֹאמַרit can sayלָשׁוּבto returnלָשֶׁבֶתto dwellבָּאָרֶץ,in the landהֲרֵיbeholdעֲדַיִןstillלֹאhe has notנָס,fledוּמֵהֵיכָןand from whereיָשׁוּב?:shall he return

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וְלֹאAnd you shall notתַחֲנִיפוּpolluteאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichאַתֶּםyouבָּהּare in itכִּיforהַדָּםthe bloodהוּאitיַחֲנִיףpollutesאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landוְלָאָרֶץand for the landלֹאthere will notיְכֻפַּרbe expiationלַדָּםfor the bloodאֲשֶׁרwhichשֻׁפַּךְwas spilledבָּהּin itכִּיexceptאִם·בְּדַםby the blood ofשֹׁפְכוֹ׃the one who spilled it

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd you shall notתחניפו.make wickedלֹאdo notתַרְשִׁיעוּ,make guiltyכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its translation—"וְלָאand do notתְחַיְבוּן":make guilty

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וְלֹאAnd you shall notתְטַמֵּאdefileאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichאַתֶּםyouיֹשְׁבִיםdwellבָּהּin itאֲשֶׁרwhereinאֲנִיIשֹׁכֵןdwellבְּתוֹכָהּin its midstכִּיforאֲנִיIיְהוָהHashemשֹׁכֵןdwellבְּתוֹךְamongבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichאניIשכןdwellבתוכה.in its midstשֶׁלֹּאthat notתַשְׁכִּינוּyou shall make dwellאוֹתִיMeבְטֻמְאָתָהּ:in its uncleanness

רַשִׁ״י

כיforאניIה'Hashemשכןdwellבתוךamongבניthe children ofישראל.Yisraelאַףevenבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁהֵםthat they areטְמֵאִיםtameiשְׁכִינָהthe Shechinah isבֵינֵיהֶםamong themספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיִּקְרְבוּAnd they drew nearרָאשֵׁיthe heads ofהָאָבוֹתthe fathersלְמִשְׁפַּחַתof the family ofבְּנֵיthe children ofגִלְעָדGileadבֶּןson ofמָכִירMachirבֶּןson ofמְנַשֶּׁהManassehמִמִּשְׁפְּחֹתfrom the families ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיוֹסֵףYosefוַיְדַבְּרוּand they spokeלִפְנֵיbeforeמֹשֶׁהMosheוְלִפְנֵיand beforeהַנְּשִׂאִיםthe princesרָאשֵׁיheads ofאָבוֹתfathersלִבְנֵיof the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidאֶת—אֲדֹנִיmy lordצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemלָתֵתto giveאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landבְּנַחֲלָהas an inheritanceבְּגוֹרָלby lotלִבְנֵיto the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוַאדֹנִיand my lordצֻוָּהwas commandedבַיהוָהby Hashemלָתֵתto giveאֶת—נַחֲלַתthe inheritance ofצְלָפְחָדTzelofchadאָחִינוּour brotherלִבְנֹתָיו׃to his daughters

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וְהָיוּand they becomeלְאֶחָדto oneמִבְּנֵיof the sons ofשִׁבְטֵיthe tribes ofבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְנָשִׁיםfor wivesוְנִגְרְעָהthen will be subtractedנַחֲלָתָןtheir inheritanceמִנַּחֲלַתfrom the inheritance ofאֲבֹתֵינוּour fathersוְנוֹסַףand it will be addedעַלtoנַחֲלַתthe inheritance ofהַמַּטֶּהthe tribeאֲשֶׁרthatתִּהְיֶינָהthey will belongלָהֶםto themוּמִגֹּרַלand from the lot ofנַחֲלָתֵנוּour inheritanceיִגָּרֵעַ׃it will be subtracted

רַשִׁ״י

ונוסףand it will be addedעלtoנחלתthe inheritance ofהמטה.the tribeשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdבְנָהּher sonיוֹרְשָׁהּ,inherits herוְהַבֵּןand the sonמִתְיַחֵסreckons pedigreeעַלafterשֵׁבֶטthe tribe ofאָבִיו:his father

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וְאִםAnd ifיִהְיֶהthere will beהַיֹּבֵלthe Jubileeלִבְנֵיfor the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְנוֹסְפָהthen will be addedנַחֲלָתָןtheir inheritanceעַלontoנַחֲלַתthe inheritance ofהַמַּטֶּהthe tribeאֲשֶׁרthatתִּהְיֶינָהthey will belongלָהֶםto themוּמִנַּחֲלַתand from the inheritance ofמַטֵּהthe tribe ofאֲבֹתֵינוּour fathersיִגָּרַעwill be subtractedנַחֲלָתָן׃their inheritance

רַשִׁ״י

ואםAnd ifיהיהthere will beהיבל.the Jubileeמִכָּאןfrom hereהָיָהwasרַ'RabbiיְהוּדָהYehudahאוֹמֵרsayingעָתִידit is destinedהַיּוֹבֵלthe Jubileeשֶׁיִּפְסֹקthat it will ceaseספראSifraויקראVayikraב'2:

רַשִׁ״י

ואםAnd ifיהיהthere will beהיובל.the Jubileeכְּלוֹמַר,meaningאֵיןthere is noזוֹthisמְכִירָהsaleשֶׁחוֹזֶרֶתthat returnsבַּיּוֹבֵל,in the Jubileeשֶׁהַיְרֻשָּׁהfor the inheritanceאֵינָהּis notחוֹזֶרֶת,returningוַאֲפִלּוּand evenאִםifיִהְיֶהthere will beהַיּוֹבֵלthe Jubileeלֹאnotתַחֲזֹרwill returnהַנַּחֲלָהthe inheritanceלְשִׁבְטוֹ,to its tribeוְנִמְצָאand it turns outשֶׁנּוֹסְפָהthat it is addedעלuponנחלתthe inheritance ofהמטהthe tribeאשרwhichתהיינהthey will belongלהםto them:

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַיְצַוAnd commandedמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶת—בְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelעַלbyפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemלֵאמֹרsayingכֵּןcorrectlyמַטֵּהthe tribe ofבְנֵיthe children ofיוֹסֵףYosefדֹּבְרִים׃speak

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

זֶהThis isהַדָּבָרthe matterאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemלִבְנוֹתconcerning the daughters ofצְלָפְחָדTzelofchadלֵאמֹרsayingלַטּוֹבto the goodבְּעֵינֵיהֶםin their eyesתִּהְיֶינָהthey may beלְנָשִׁיםfor wivesאַךְonlyלְמִשְׁפַּחַתto the family ofמַטֵּהthe tribe ofאֲבִיהֶםtheir fatherתִּהְיֶינָהthey shall beלְנָשִׁים׃for wives

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וְלֹאAnd notתִסֹּבshall pass overנַחֲלָהan inheritanceלִבְנֵיfor the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמִמַּטֶּהfrom a tribeאֶלtoמַטֶּהa tribeכִּיbutאִישׁeach manבְּנַחֲלַתto the inheritance ofמַטֵּהthe tribe ofאֲבֹתָיוhis fathersיִדְבְּקוּshall cleaveבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

וְכָלAnd everyבַּתdaughterיֹרֶשֶׁתwho inheritsנַחֲלָהan inheritanceמִמַּטּוֹתfrom the tribes ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְאֶחָדto oneמִמִּשְׁפַּחַתfrom the family ofמַטֵּהthe tribe ofאָבִיהָher fatherתִּהְיֶהshe shall beלְאִשָּׁהfor a wifeלְמַעַןso thatיִירְשׁוּthey may inheritבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאִישׁevery manנַחֲלַתthe inheritance ofאֲבֹתָיו׃his fathers

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd everyבתdaughterירשתinheritingנחלה.an inheritanceשֶׁלֹּאbecause notהָיָהthere wasבֵןa sonלְאָבִיהָ:to her father

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

וְלֹאAnd notתִסֹּבshall pass overנַחֲלָהan inheritanceמִמַּטֶּהfrom a tribeלְמַטֶּהto a tribeאַחֵרanotherכִּיbutאִישׁeach manבְּנַחֲלָתוֹto his inheritanceיִדְבְּקוּshall cleaveמַטּוֹתthe tribes ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

כַּאֲשֶׁרJust asצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemאֶת—מֹשֶׁהMosheכֵּןsoעָשׂוּdidבְּנוֹתthe daughters ofצְלָפְחָד׃Tzelofchad

פָּסוּק לז

Pasuk 37

וַתִּהְיֶינָהAnd they becameמַחְלָהMahlahתִרְצָהTirzahוְחָגְלָהand Hoglahוּמִלְכָּהand Milcahוְנֹעָהand Noahבְּנוֹתthe daughters ofצְלָפְחָדZelophehadלִבְנֵיto the sons ofדֹדֵיהֶןtheir unclesלְנָשִׁים׃for wives

רַשִׁ״י

מחלהMachlahתרצהTirtzahוגו'.etc.כָּאןhereמְנָאָןit enumerates themלְפִיaccording toגְדֻלָּתָןtheir seniorityזוֹthis oneמִזּוֹover this oneבַּשָּׁנִים,in yearsוְנִשְּׂאוּand they marriedכְּסֵדֶרaccording to the order ofתּוֹלְדוֹתָן,their birthוּבְכָלand in all ofהַמִּקְרָאthe Scriptureמְנָאָןit enumerates themלְפִיaccording toחָכְמָתָן,their wisdomוּמַגִּידand this tellsשֶׁשְּׁקוּלוֹתthat they were equalזוֹthis oneכְּזוֹas this oneעי'seeבבאBavaבתראBatraק"כ120a:

פָּסוּק לח

Pasuk 38

מִמִּשְׁפְּחֹתfrom the families ofבְּנֵיthe sons ofמְנַשֶּׁהMenasheבֶןson ofיוֹסֵףYosefהָיוּthey wereלְנָשִׁיםfor wivesוַתְּהִיand wasנַחֲלָתָןtheir inheritanceעַלuponמַטֵּהthe tribe ofמִשְׁפַּחַתthe family ofאֲבִיהֶן׃their father

פָּסוּק לט

Pasuk 39

אֵלֶּהThese areהַמִּצְוֺתthe commandmentsוְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִיםand the lawsאֲשֶׁרthatצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemבְּיַדby the hand ofמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoבְּנֵיthe Children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבְּעַרְבֹתin the plains ofמוֹאָבMoavעַלbyיַרְדֵּןthe Jordan ofיְרֵחוֹ׃Yerecho

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the laws of capital punishment and exile, emphasizing that no ransom can be accepted to spare a deliberate murderer from death or to release an accidental killer from his exile in the Ir Miklat, as unatoned bloodshed defiles the holy Land where Hashem dwells. To prevent tribal lands from shifting during the Yovel (Jubilee) year, Hashem commands that the daughters of Zelophehad must marry only within their father's tribe of Menashe. The daughters obediently marry their cousins, keeping their inheritance intact, and the parshah concludes with a summary of the mitzvos given to Bnei Yisrael on the plains of Moab by the Jordan.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this parsha, the Torah teaches us about the Arei Miklat, the cities of refuge. When a person takes a life unintentionally, through carelessness or a tragic mishap, he must flee to a city of refuge and remain there. The Torah warns us that no amount of money can buy his way out: "Nor may you accept ransom in lieu of flight to a city of refuge, enabling someone to return home." He must stay within those borders, reflecting and rebuilding, until the Kohen Gadol passes away.

Think about the profound lesson Hashem is teaching us here. When we make a mistake, even an unintentional one, a "shgaga", our natural reaction is to try to pay our way out of the consequences. We want to make a quick apology, write a check, or find a shortcut to make the discomfort go away so we can immediately return to our comfortable routine. But the Torah says: No. True teshuvah and healing require you to sit with your mistake. You must enter your own "city of refuge", a space of quiet reflection, boundaries, and real inner work.

When you hurt someone's feelings, damage a relationship, or fail in your spiritual duties, do not rush to sweep it under the rug. Real growth happens when we allow ourselves to feel the weight of our actions and accept the process of repair, even when it is uncomfortable and takes time.

Today, if you make a mistake or hurt someone, resist the urge to offer a quick, superficial fix just to ease your own guilt. Instead, take five minutes of quiet reflection to truly understand what went wrong, sincerely apologize without making excuses, and accept the patient process of rebuilding trust.