Бамидбар 25:4 Комментарий: Rashi, Midrash Lekach Tov, Sforno & Or HaChaim

קח את כל ראשי העם TAKE ALL THE HEADS OF THE PEOPLE, to judge those who worshipped Peor (Sanhedrin 35a),

"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Take all the leaders of the people and hang them before the Lord, facing the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.'" If the people sinned, what was the sin of the leaders? Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, "Appoint many courts for them, so that the anger of the Lord will subside, and hang them before the Lord." How do we know that hanging is meant? As it is stated, "And hang them before the Lord in the valley of the shadow of death." Opposite the sun. From here we learn that judgments regarding capital offenses are not held at night. Opposite the sun, based on witnesses. Similarly, it is stated, "If the sun has risen upon him, he shall be guilty." Another interpretation: Opposite the sun, so that the sun does not shine upon them. And similarly, it says, "His carcass shall not remain overnight upon the tree." Another interpretation: Opposite the sun, so that every cloud departs from it, and the sun shines upon it.

נגד השמש, so that the people would observe the execution of the idolaters and by not protesting their punishment achieve atonement. This would help them achieve atonement for having sinned by not protesting the sinners’ conduct beforehand.

והוקע אותם AND HANG THEM — those who worshipped it (not the heads of the people).