Today, we're diving into a fascinating passage from Bamidbar Rabbah (Numbers Rabbah) 7, a Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) collection, that grapples with this very question, specifically in relation to the exile of the Jewish people. It's a powerful and surprisingly relevant text for our times.
The passage opens with a seemingly simple verse from (Numbers 5:2), "Command the children of Israel." But the Rabbis, in their insightful way, interpret this verse as a reference to exile. Why? Because, they argue, the Israelites violated the mitzvot, the commandments, and thus became liable to banishment. This banishment, this exile, is what the verse is really talking about.
The text goes on to say: “They shall send out from the camp.” The phrase "they shall send out" is equated with exile, just as we see in (Jeremiah 15:1): "Send them out from My Presence, and let them go." And “from the camp” – this, they say, refers to the Land of Israel, because the Divine Presence dwells there. To be exiled from the camp is to be exiled from God's presence.
But what caused this exile? The Midrash pinpoints three specific transgressions. "Every leper and every zav, and every one impure by means of a corpse" (Numbers 5:2) – these, the Rabbis say, are symbolic. They represent the sins of idol worship, illicit sexual relations, and bloodshed. If Israel commits these three sins, they incur liability to be exiled. A "leper" represents idol worship. Just as a leper causes impurity through physical contact, so too does idol worship "impurify through entry." The Hullin 13b even makes this connection explicit, noting that just as a leper in a house makes everything impure, so does something offered to an idol under a roof.
Next, a "zav" – someone who has a seminal emission – represents illicit sexual relations. The text emphasizes that these acts "impurify the land." Think of (Leviticus 18:24)–28, which warns against the land becoming defiled by such actions. Arayot, or illicit sexual relations, defile the land.
Finally, "impure by means of a corpse" represents murderers. They not only defile themselves but also defile the land with bloodshed. The Midrash draws on Mishna Avot 5:12, which states that exile comes to the world because of idol worship, illicit sexual relations, bloodshed, and the failure to observe the Sabbatical Year, the shmita, where the land lies fallow every seventh year.
The passage then elaborates on each transgression. Idol worship leads to destruction of altars and scattering among the nations, as (Leviticus 26:30) and 26:33 describe. The Omnipresent essentially says, "Since you desire idol worship, I will exile you to a place where there is idol worship."
Rabbi Yishmael ben Rabbi Yosei adds that when Israel is steeped in illicit sexual relations, the Divine Presence departs, citing (Deuteronomy 23:15): "And He will not see a shameful matter [ervat davar] in your midst, and turn from behind you."
And bloodshed? (Numbers 35:33)–34 makes it clear: "You shall not pollute the land...as the blood will pollute the land." Bloodshed, the Midrash argues, is the reason the Temple was destroyed and Israel was exiled.
The Midrash then connects these transgressions to the destruction of the First Temple. Rabbi Yochanan ben Toreta said the First Temple was destroyed specifically because of idol worship, illicit sexual relations, and bloodshed. The passage weaves in verses from Isaiah and Kings to illustrate these points, showing how these sins led to the calamities that befell Jerusalem.
The text doesn't stop there. It goes on to connect the different exiles – Babylonian, Median, Edomite (Roman), and Greek – to specific aspects of these transgressions. Each exile is linked to a particular form of impurity or punishment. The exile of Edom, which refers to the Roman Empire, is particularly poignant, as it's juxtaposed with the exile of Babylon, highlighting their shared role in destroying the Temple and exiling Israel.
But amidst all this talk of sin and punishment, there's a glimmer of hope. Rabbi Natan teaches that Israel is beloved because in every place they are exiled, the Divine Presence is with them. Whether in Egypt, Babylon, Elam, or Edom, God is always present. This idea echoes throughout Jewish tradition, offering comfort and reassurance during times of hardship.
The passage concludes with a message of repentance and redemption. Just as a leper, a zav, and someone impure due to a corpse need pure water to be purified, so too will God sprinkle pure water upon Israel and purify them, as (Ezekiel 36:25) promises. It will be when all these matters will come upon you, the blessing and the curse that I have placed before you, you shall restore to your heart among all the nations that the Lord your God has banished you there. And you will return to the Lord your God... (Deuteronomy 30:1-2, 5-6)
So, what are we to make of all this? This passage from Bamidbar Rabbah offers a powerful, if sobering, explanation for the exile of the Jewish people. It reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that sin can lead to collective suffering. But it also offers a message of hope, reminding us that God is always with us, even in our darkest moments, and that repentance and purification are always possible. It's a reminder that even in exile, the possibility of return, of teshuva, is ever-present. What does this all mean for us today? Perhaps it's a call to examine our own lives, both individually and collectively, and to strive to create a world that is worthy of God's presence.
Another matter: “Command the children of Israel” (Numbers 5:2) – the Rabbis interpreted that the verse refers to exile. “Command the children of Israel” – because they violated the mitzvot, they incurred liability to be banished; this is exile. That is what is written: “They shall send out from the camp” (Numbers 5:2); “they shall send out” is nothing other than an expression of exile, just as it says: “Send them out from My Presence, and let them go” (Jeremiah 15:1). “From the camp” – this is the Land of Israel, as the Divine Presence dwells there. “Every leper and every zav, and every one impure by means of a corpse” (Numbers 5:2) – He implied to them that if Israel violates these three transgressions, idol worship, illicit sexual relations, and bloodshed, they will incur liability to be exiled. “Leper” – this is idol worship. Just as a leper impurifies through entry, so idol worship impurifies through entry.36If a leper enters a house everything in the house becomes impure; if something which was offered to an idol is under a roof, everything under the roof becomes impure (see Ḥullin 13b). “Zav” – this is illicit sexual relations. These and those are impurified by means of a seminal emission.37Illicit sexual relations impurify the land. See Leviticus 18:24–28. “Impure by means of a corpse” – these are murderers, who impurify themselves and impurify the land with bloodshed. We learned that it is so:38Mishna Avot 5:12. Exile comes to the world for idol worship, for illicit sexual relations, for bloodshed, and for failure to leave the land fallow.39During the Sabbatical Year. For idol worship, how so? It says: “I will destroy your private altars, [and eliminate your sun-stones, and I will cast your carcasses on the carcasses of your idols]” (Leviticus 26:30). And it is written: “And you I will scatter among the nations…” (Leviticus 26:33). The Omnipresent said to Israel: Since you desire idol worship, I will exile you to a place where there is idol worship. That is why “I will destroy your private altars.” For illicit sexual relations, how so? Rabbi Yishmael ben Rabbi Yosei said: Whenever Israel are steeped in illicit sexual relations [arayot], the Divine Presence departs from them, as it is stated: “And He will not see a shameful matter [ervat davar]40Erva is the singular of arayot. in your midst, and turn from behind you” (Deuteronomy 23:15) For bloodshed how so? It is as it is stated: “You shall not pollute the land [in which you are, as the blood will pollute the land.… And do not impurify the land]” (Numbers 35:33–34). The verse tells that bloodshed impurifies the land, and the Divine Presence departs. It is due to bloodshed that the Temple was destroyed and Israel was exiled from their land. These matters were in the first Temple, and that is why they were exiled and the Temple was destroyed, as Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Toreta said: Due to what reason was the first Temple destroyed? It was due to the fact that there were three matters in it: Idol worship, illicit sexual relations, and bloodshed. Idol worship, as it is written: “For the bedding is too short for stretching [mehistare’a]…” (Isaiah 28:20). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: This bed is too short for two counterparts [re’im] to dominate [mehistarer] as one.41Mehistare’a is a portmanteau of mehistarer and re’a. “And the covering [vehamasekha] is too narrow [tzara] for taking shelter [kehitkannes]” (Isaiah 28:20) – Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that when Rabbi Yonatan would reach this verse, he would weep and say: For the One in whose regard it is written: “He gathers [kones] waters of the sea together as a mound” (Psalms 33:7), will the idol [masekha] became a rival [tzara]? Illicit sexual relations, as it is written: “The Lord says: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty [and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes]” (Isaiah 3:16). Bloodshed, as it is written: “Moreover, Menashe shed very much innocent blood…” (II Kings 21:16). That is why the Holy One blessed be He brought upon them three calamities corresponding to the three transgressions that they performed, as it is stated: “Therefore, due to you, Zion will be plowed as a field; [Jerusalem will become heaps, and the Temple Mount into forested heights [bamot]] (Micah 3:12).42The term bamot also refers to private altars, and in many instances, altars of idol worship, which were regularly built in elevated locations. This sending43“They shall send out from the camp” (Numbers 5:2). is stated regarding the Babylonian exile. “Male and female alike you shall send out” (Numbers 5:3) – that is stated corresponding to the exile of Media, as they went from Babylon to Media. Because they did not depart from the Land of Israel when they were exiled to Media, that is why “camp” is not stated here. Why is “male and female alike” written regarding the exile of Media? He implied to them that the kingdom of Media was destined to issue edicts upon them, “male and female alike,” as it is stated: “The scrolls were sent in the hand of the couriers to all the king’s provinces: To destroy, [to kill, and to eliminate all the Jews, from lad to elder, children and women]” (Esther 3:13). “Outside the camp you shall send them” (Numbers 5:3) – this is stated corresponding to the exile of Edom,44Edom refers to the Roman Empire. who destroyed the Temple and exiled Israel from their land. Why is the exile of Edom juxtaposed to the exile of Babylon? It is because just as Babylon destroyed the Temple and exiled Israel, so did the Edomites. Likewise it says: “Daughter of Babylon, marked for devastation” (Psalms 137:8) – the verse characterizes Edom as the daughter of Babylon;45The previous verse states: “Remember, Lord, the day of Jerusalem against the sons of Edom” (Psalms 137:7). even though the exile of Media is interposed between them in this verse,46“Male and female alike you shall send out” separates between the allusion to Babylon and the allusion to Edom. it is only because the exile of Media comes as an extension of the exile of Babylon, as when they were exiled to Media they departed from Babylon. “They shall not impurify their camp” (Numbers 5:3) – that is stated corresponding to the subjugation to Greece. This is why “sending” is not stated in its regard, as they did not exile them from their land. This is the reason that impurity is stated in its regard, as the Greeks impurified the Sanctuary with their idols. “In which I dwell in their midst” (Numbers 5:3) – He implied to them that in every place they were exiled, the Divine Presence was with them. It is taught: Rabbi Natan says: Israel are beloved, as every place they were exiled, the Divine Presence was with them. They were exiled to Egypt; the Divine Presence was with them, as it is stated: “Did I not appear to your father's house, [when they were in Egypt]” (I Samuel 2:27). They were exiled to Babylon; the Divine Presence was with them, as it is stated: “For your sake, I sent to Babylon…” (Isaiah 43:14). They were exiled to Elam; the Divine Presence was with them, as it is stated: “I will place My throne in Elam” (Jeremiah 49:38). They were exiled to Edom; the Divine Presence was with them, as it is stated: “Who is this coming from Edom…” (Isaiah 63:1). When they are scattered, the Divine Presence is with them, as it is stated: “The Lord your God will return [veshav] your returnees…” (Deuteronomy 30:3). It is not written here: Will restore [veheshiv], but rather, “will return [veshav].” And it says: “With me from Lebanon, my bride, [with me from Lebanon, come]” (Song of Songs 4:8). “The children of Israel did so, and sent them outside the camp” – when they sinned, they were exiled. “As the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did” – what did the Holy One blessed be He speak to Moses? It is that if they will repent in the kingdoms where they will be, the Holy One blessed be He will gather them, as it is stated: “It will be when all these matters will come upon you, the blessing and the curse [that I have placed before you, you shall restore to your heart among all the nations that the Lord your God has banished you there. And you will return to the Lord your God].… The Lord your God [will bring you to the land]… The Lord your God will circumcise [your heart]…” (Deuteronomy 30:1–2, 5–6). “So the children of Israel did [asu]” – that Israel is destined to repent [laasot teshuva] at the end of days and they would be redeemed, as it is stated: “With repose [beshuva] and stillness you will be saved” (Isaiah 30:15). Just as a leper, a zav, and one impure due to a corpse will never be purified until they enter pure water, so, the Holy One blessed be He is destined to sprinkle pure water upon them and to purify them, as it is stated: “I will sprinkle pure water upon you, and you will be purified…” (Ezekiel 36:25).
