Derasha on Bamidbar 35:31 · TT unit 2

Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:31 · TT note 2

The Complete Passuk

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

Torah Temimah points to Bava Kama 83b (TT note on “לְנֶפֶשׁ רֹצֵחַ”).

Core Text — Bava Kama 83b

לְנֶפֶשׁ רוֹצֵחַ אִי אַתָּה לוֹקֵחַ כּוֹפֶר אֲבָל אַתָּה לוֹקֵחַ כּוֹפֶר לְרָאשֵׁי אֵבָרִים שֶׁאֵין חוֹזְרִים.

English: For the life of a murderer you may not take ransom, but you may take ransom for permanent loss of limbs.

Distinction between capital murder (no ransom) and permanent bodily injury (ransom allowed).

The prohibition of ransom is limited to a life taken; for irreversible limb damage monetary compensation remains available.