Shoftim 21:07 · unit 5

TT #385 · Parashas Shoftim · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 21:07

The Complete Passuk

וְעָנ֖וּ וְאָמְר֑וּ יָדֵ֗ינוּ לֹ֤א (שפכה) [שָֽׁפְכוּ֙] אֶת־הַדָּ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְעֵינֵ֖ינוּ לֹ֥א רָאֽוּ׃

And they shall declare and say: Our hands did not shed this blood, and our eyes did not see.

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim 210.

TT lemma: וְעֵינֵינוּ לֹא רָאוּ.

Core Text

וְעֵינֵינוּ לֹא רָאוּ – לֹא רָאִינוּ וּפָטַרְנוּ.

English: ‘And our eyes did not see’ – we did not see and dismiss him.

On the daf / in context: Neglect of a traveler is the underlying concern.

Derash on communal responsibility for travelers (Sifrei) — the city is accountable for the safety of those who pass through.

The elders’ declaration clears the city of the charge that they saw a traveler in need and sent him away unprotected.