Numbers 34:6 - Divine western boundary set

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Hebrew Text

וּגְבוּל יָם וְהָיָה לָכֶם הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל וּגְבוּל זֶה־יִהְיֶה לָכֶם גְּבוּל יָם׃

English Translation

And as for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea for a border: this shall be your west border.

Transliteration

Ugvul yam vehaya lakhem hayam hagadol ugvul ze-yihye lakhem gvul yam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּגְב֣וּל יָ֔ם וְהָיָ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם הַיָּ֥ם הַגָּד֖וֹל וּגְב֑וּל זֶֽה־יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֥וּל יָֽם׃

Parasha Commentary

Geographical and Spiritual Significance of the Western Border

The verse (Bamidbar 34:6) establishes the Great Sea (the Mediterranean) as the western border of Eretz Yisrael. Rashi explains that this boundary is explicitly stated to clarify that the coastal cities—though geographically part of the Land—were not included in the original division among the tribes (based on Yehoshua 13:6). The Ramban adds that this demarcation emphasizes the completeness of the Land's borders as divinely ordained.

Symbolism of the Sea in Jewish Thought

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 5:8) associates the Great Sea with the concept of gevul (boundary), teaching that Hashem set limits even for the sea, mirroring the moral and spiritual boundaries He expects Bnei Yisrael to uphold. The Talmud (Chullin 7a) further notes that the sea’s inclusion as a border signifies that Eretz Yisrael’s sanctity extends to its natural boundaries.

Halachic Implications: The Mishnah (Gittin 1:2) derives from this verse that legal documents (e.g., bills of divorce) written "beyond the sea" are valid only if they meet specific criteria, linking the sea’s boundary to jurisdictional limits.
Historical Context: Ibn Ezra observes that the Philistines’ territory along the coast was excluded from tribal allotments, reflecting a divine plan for gradual settlement (see Shoftim 3:3).

The Sea as a Metaphor for Torah

The Zohar (II:161a) interprets the "Great Sea" allegorically as Torah, whose wisdom is as vast and boundless as the sea—yet the verse reminds us that even Torah requires defined gevulot (limits) for proper study and application. This echoes the Rambam’s guidance (Hilchot Talmud Torah 3:12) on structured learning within boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 34:6 mean when it mentions the 'Great Sea' as a border?
A: In Numbers 34:6, the 'Great Sea' refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which served as the western boundary of the Land of Israel as described in the Torah. According to Rashi, this verse clearly defines the western limit of the territory allotted to the Israelites during the division of the land.

Q: Why is the western border of Israel specified in the Torah?
A: The Torah specifies the borders of Israel, including the western border at the Mediterranean Sea, to establish the exact boundaries of the Promised Land given to the Israelites. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains that these borders are significant for laws related to agriculture, tithes, and other mitzvot that apply specifically within the Land of Israel.

Q: How does the border described in Numbers 34:6 apply today?
A: While the modern political borders of Israel may differ, the biblical borders described in Numbers 34:6 remain important for halachic (Jewish legal) matters. For example, certain agricultural laws (like terumah and ma'aser) apply only within the biblical boundaries. Orthodox Jews today still study these borders to understand the scope of these mitzvot.

Q: What can we learn from the detailed borders in Numbers 34?
A: The detailed borders in Numbers 34 teach us the importance of precision in fulfilling mitzvot. Just as the boundaries of the Land of Israel are clearly defined, our observance of Torah commandments must also be exact and attentive to details. The Talmud (Gittin 8a) discusses how these borders affect legal matters, showing the practical implications of these boundaries.