במדבר, פרק ט״ז, פסוק כ״ו

When rebellion reaches a point of no return, the focus shifts from persuading the guilty to protecting the innocent. After his rebukes fall on deaf ears and the rebels maintain their bold defiance, Moses turns his attention to the rest of the congregation. Acting on God's command, Moses speaks to the people gently. As a righteous leader, his primary desire is to save his generation. He wants them to clearly see the wickedness of the rebels and recognize the looming disaster so they will flee to safety [אור החיים, העמק דבר].

He issues a strict warning to step away from the tents of these wicked men. This physical distance is crucial because when a disaster strikes the world, it frequently harms anyone standing near the sinners [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. By choosing to remain close to the rebels during the time of punishment, a person essentially proves that they themselves do not deserve to be saved [ספורנו].

This separation must be total. The people are warned not to touch anything belonging to the rebels, which the primary approach among commentators understands as a clear directive not to try and save any of their property or wealth. There are two main ways to understand this ban. One perspective views the rebels' belongings as entirely condemned, similar to the property of a subverted city, making it forbidden for personal benefit and destined for complete destruction [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך, בכור שור, צפנת פענח]. Another perspective focuses on the immediate physical danger: anyone who attempts to salvage the rebels' money will inevitably be dragged down alive into the earth along with them [אבן עזרא, רבנו בחיי, ביאור יש״ר].

The ultimate risk of ignoring this warning is being completely destroyed or swallowed by the earth [רמב״ן, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Some commentators apply this threat of destruction simply to standing near the tents, while others extend it to the very act of trying to touch the condemned property [הטור הארוך]. When addressing why the people might be swept away on account of the rebels' sins, the primary approach among commentators suggests it is due to the sheer magnitude and quantity of the wrongdoings, which are so great that they will bring ruin upon anyone in the vicinity. However, a different viewpoint suggests the danger actually lies in the bystanders' own past actions. In a moment of divine anger, merely holding an object belonging to the rebels could act as a trigger, bringing a person's own minor sins to the forefront. This could result in their punishment, even if they had no part in the severe sin of the rebellion itself [העמק דבר].

Over time, this event became a lasting symbol for the necessity of completely distancing oneself from wrongdoers and situations that dishonor God. For instance, the sages ruled that if a person is about to take a false oath, anyone present must announce their departure and leave the scene. By physically stepping away, they separate themselves from both the sinner and the one administering the oath, ensuring they do not share in the impending punishment [תורה תמימה].