With the Power of One’s Words, He Acquires Worlds

With the Power of One’s Words, He Acquires Worlds

Rav Pinchos of Koritz explains this pasuk to be speaking about the power of words. “Bamidbor” can also mean “with the power of speech.” “Yitamu” can also mean “temimus”. The power of speech can lead to perfection. But this same power can lead to death, as the verse says “there they will die.” He states that not only forbidden speech is harmful, but even empty, pointless words can cause harms. This teaches us how careful one must be with his words.

He adds that the letters of the word “yitamu” are the same as the letters of the words “u’meisu” (and they will die). This teaches us that one’s words can either create temimus or death, depending on how they are used.