Derasha on Bamidbar 35:23 · TT unit 3

Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:23 · TT note 3

The Complete Passuk

א֣וֹ בְכָל־אֶ֜בֶן אֲשֶׁר־יָמ֥וּת בָּהּ֙ בְּלֹ֣א רְא֔וֹת וַיַּפֵּ֥ל עָלָ֖יו וַיָּמֹ֑ת וְהוּא֙ לֹא־אוֹיֵ֣ב ל֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ רָעָתֽוֹ׃

Torah Temimah points to Makkos 7b (TT note on “וַיַּפֵּל עָלָיו”).

Core Text — Makkos 7b

וַיַּפֵּל עָלָיו — עַד שֶׁיִּפּוֹל דֶּרֶךְ נְפִילָה.

English: “And it fell upon him” — only when it falls in the manner of a fall [i.e., from above downward].

Limitation of the verse to downward falls, not lateral or upward projections.

The unintentional-homicide provision covers only objects that fall downward onto the victim, not projectiles launched sideways or upward.