Derasha on Bamidbar 35:22 · TT unit 2

Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:22 · TT note 2

The Complete Passuk

וְאִם־בְּפֶ֥תַע בְּלֹא־אֵיבָ֖ה הֲדָפ֑וֹ אֽוֹ־הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ עָלָ֛יו כָּל־כְּלִ֖י בְּלֹ֥א צְדִיָּֽה׃

Torah Temimah points to Kerisos 9a (TT note on “בְּפֶתַע בְּלֹא אֵיבָה”).

Core Text — Kerisos 9a

בְּפֶתַע בְּלֹא אֵיבָה — מִכָּאן דְּפֶתַע הוּא שׁוֹגֵג.

English: “Suddenly, without enmity” — from here [we learn] that “suddenly” is [the category of] unintentional [homicide].

Definitional link between the verse’s “suddenly” and the halakhic category of shogeg.

The Torah’s term “suddenly” itself designates the unintentional killer who is subject to exile, not capital punishment.