Derasha on Bamidbar 35:31 · TT unit 1

Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:31 · TT note 1

The Complete Passuk

וְלֹֽא־תִקְח֥וּ כֹ֙פֶר֙ לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ רֹצֵ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר־ה֣וּא רָשָׁ֖ע לָמ֑וּת כִּי־מ֖וֹת יוּמָֽת׃

Torah Temimah points to Kesuvos 37b (TT note on “וְלֹא תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר”).

Core Text — Kesuvos 37b

מַהוּ לֹא תִקְחוּ כֹפֶר — לֹא תִשְׁקוֹל מָמוֹנָא מִנֵּיהּ וְתִפְטְרֵיהּ.

English: What does “you shall not take ransom” mean? You shall not take money from him and exempt him.

Absolute bar on monetary commutation of a capital murder sentence.

No payment can free a convicted intentional murderer from the death penalty.