Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Hashem teaches Moshe Rabbeinu and Aaron HaKohen the profound chok of the Parah Adumah (the Red Heifer), which is used to purify those who have become tamei through contact with a corpse. We learn the meticulous steps of preparing the ashes, sprinkling the spring water mixed with these ashes, and how this process uniquely purifies the defiled while rendering those involved in its preparation tamei.

Following these laws of taharah, the Torah transitions to the arrival of Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness of Zin, where Miriam HaNeviah passes away and is buried. Immediately following her death, the well that accompanied the nation in her merit dries up, leaving the community without water and leading them to contend with Moshe and Aaron in their distress.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלand toאַהֲרֹןAharonלֵאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

זֹאתThis isחֻקַּתthe statute ofהַתּוֹרָהthe TorahאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemלֵאמֹרsayingדַּבֵּרspeakאֶלtoבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְיִקְחוּand they shall takeאֵלֶיךָto youפָרָהa cowאֲדֻמָּהredתְּמִימָהunblemishedאֲשֶׁרwhichאֵיןthere is notבָּהּin herמוּםa blemishאֲשֶׁרupon whichלֹאnotעָלָהhas comeעָלֶיהָupon herעֹל׃a yoke

רַשִׁ״י

זאתThisחקתis the ordinance ofהתורה.the TorahלְפִיBecauseשֶׁהַשָּׂטָןthat Satanוְאֻמּוֹתand the nations ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldמוֹנִיןtauntאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵל,Yisraelלוֹמַרsayingמַהwhatהַמִּצְוָהcommandmentהַזֹּאתis thisוּמַהand whatטַּעַםreasonיֵשׁis thereבָּהּ?in itלְפִיכָךְthereforeכָּתַבHe wroteבָּהּregarding itחֻקָּהordinance—גְּזֵרָהa decreeהִיאit isמִלְּפָנַי,from before Meאֵיןthere is notלְךָfor youרְשׁוּתpermissionלְהַרְהֵרto criticizeאַחֲרֶיהָafter itיומאYomaס"ז67b:

רַשִׁ״י

ויקחוAnd they shall takeאליך.unto theeלְעוֹלָםforeverהִיאitנִקְרֵאתis calledעַלbyשִׁמְךָthy name—פָּרָהthe cowשֶׁעָשָׂהwhich madeמֹשֶׁהMosheבַּמִּדְבָּר:in the wilderness

רַשִׁ״י

אדמהredתמימה.perfectשֶׁתְּהֵאthat she should beתְמִימָהperfectבְּאַדְמִימוּת,in rednessשֶׁאִםthat ifהָיוּthere wereבָהּin herשְׁתֵּיtwoשְׂעָרוֹתhairsשְׁחֹרוֹתblackפְּסוּלָהshe is invalidפרהParahפ"בchapter two:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וּנְתַתֶּםAnd you shall giveאֹתָהּ—אֶלtoאֶלְעָזָרElazarהַכֹּהֵןthe priestוְהוֹצִיאand he shall takeאֹתָהּ—אֶלtoמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶהof the campוְשָׁחַטand he shall slaughterאֹתָהּ—לְפָנָיו׃before him

רַשִׁ״י

אלעזר.Eleazarמִצְוָתָהּits commandmentבַּסְּגָןis with the SeganספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

אלToמחוץoutside ofלמחנה.the campחוּץoutsideלְשָׁלוֹשׁof threeמַחֲנוֹת:camps

רַשִׁ״י

ושחטAnd he shall slaughterאתהitלפניו.before himזָרa non-priestשׁוֹחֵטslaughtersוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarרוֹאֶהwatchesשם;thereיומאYomaמ"ב42:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וְלָקַחAnd shall takeאֶלְעָזָרElazarהַכֹּהֵןthe priestמִדָּמָהּfrom her bloodבְּאֶצְבָּעוֹwith his fingerוְהִזָּהand he shall sprinkleאֶלtowardנֹכַחthe front ofפְּנֵיthe face ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingמִדָּמָהּfrom her bloodשֶׁבַעsevenפְּעָמִים׃times

רַשִׁ״י

אלTowardsנכחthe front ofפניthe face ofאהלthe Tent ofמועד.MeetingעוֹמֵדHe standsבְּמִזְרָחוֹat the east ofשֶׁל·יְרוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimוּמִתְכַּוֵּןand directs his intentוְרוֹאֶהand looks atפִתְחוֹthe entrance ofשֶׁל·הֵיכָלthe Hechalבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofהַזָּאַתthe sprinkling ofהַדָּםthe bloodספרי;SifreiזבחיםZevachimק"ה105:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְשָׂרַףAnd he shall burnאֶת—הַפָּרָהthe cowלְעֵינָיוbefore his eyesאֶת—עֹרָהּits hideוְאֶתand —בְּשָׂרָהּits fleshוְאֶתand —דָּמָהּits bloodעַלwithפִּרְשָׁהּits dungיִשְׂרֹף׃he shall burn

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְלָקַחAnd shall takeהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenעֵץwood ofאֶרֶזcedarוְאֵזוֹבand hyssopוּשְׁנִיand wool ofתוֹלָעַתcrimsonוְהִשְׁלִיךְand he shall castאֶלintoתּוֹךְthe midst ofשְׂרֵפַתthe burning ofהַפָּרָה׃the cow

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְכִבֶּסAnd he shall washבְּגָדָיוhis garmentsהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenוְרָחַץand he shall batheבְּשָׂרוֹhis bodyבַּמַּיִםin the waterוְאַחַרand afterwardsיָבוֹאhe may enterאֶלintoהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campוְטָמֵאand he shall be tameiהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenעַדuntilהָעָרֶב׃the evening

רַשִׁ״י

אלIntoהמחנה.the campלְמַחֲנֵהinto the camp ofשְׁכִינָה,the Shechinaשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noטָמֵאunclean personמְשֻׁלָּחwho is expelledחוּץoutsideלִשְׁתֵּיof twoמַחֲנוֹתcampsאֶלָּאexceptזָבa zavוּבַעַלand one who experiencedקֶרִיa seminal emissionוּמְצֹרָעand a leperעי'seeפסחיםPesachimס"ז67a:

רַשִׁ״י

וטמאand shall be uncleanהכהןthe Kohenעדuntilהערב.the eveningסָרְסֵהוּinvert itוְדָרְשֵׁהוּand explain it—וְטָמֵאand he shall be uncleanעַדuntilהָעֶרֶבthe eveningוְאַחַרand afterwardsיָבֹאhe shall comeאֶלintoהַמַּחֲנֶה:the camp

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְהַשֹּׂרֵףAnd the one who burnsאֹתָהּitיְכַבֵּסshall washבְּגָדָיוhis garmentsבַּמַּיִםin waterוְרָחַץand he shall batheבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshבַּמָּיִםin waterוְטָמֵאand he shall be tameiעַדuntilהָעָרֶב׃the evening

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְאָסַףAnd shall gatherאִישׁa manטָהוֹרwho is pureאֵת—אֵפֶרthe ashes ofהַפָּרָהthe cowוְהִנִּיחַand he shall placeמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶהto the campבְּמָקוֹםin a placeטָהוֹרpureוְהָיְתָהand it shall beלַעֲדַתfor the congregation ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְמִשְׁמֶרֶתfor a safekeepingלְמֵיfor water ofנִדָּהsprinklingחַטָּאתa purification offeringהִוא׃it is

רַשִׁ״י

והניחAnd he shall layמחוץoutsideלמחנה.the campלִשְׁלֹשָׁהinto threeחֲלָקִיםportionsמְחַלְּקָהּ,he divided itאֶחָדoneנָתַןhe placedבְּהַרon the Mount ofהַמִּשְׁחָה,Olivesוְאֶחָדand oneמִתְחַלֵּקwas dividedלְכָלamong allהַמִּשְׁמָרוֹת,the priestly divisionsוְאֶחָדand oneנָתַןhe placedבַּחֵילin the Cheilספרי;SifreiפרהParahפ"גchapter 3,זֶהThisשֶׁלofמִשְׁמָרוֹתthe priestly divisionsהָיָהwasחוּץoutsideלָעֲזָרָה,the forecourtלִטֹּלto takeמִמֶּנּוּfrom itבְּנֵיthe inhabitants ofהָעֲיָרוֹתthe citiesוְכָלand anyoneהַצְּרִיכִיןwho requiredלִטָּהֵר,to be cleansedוְזֶהand thisשֶׁבְּהַרwhich was on MountהַמִּשְׁחָהOlivesכֹּהֲנִיםHighגְּדוֹלִיםPriestsלְפָרוֹתfor cowsאֲחֵרוֹתotherמְקַדְּשִׁיןpurified themselvesהֵימֶנָּה,from itוְזֶהand thisשֶׁבַּחֵילwhich was in the Cheilנָתוּןwas placedלְמִשְׁמֶרֶתfor safekeepingמִגְּזֵרַתby decree ofהַכָּתוּב,the Scriptureשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוהיתהand it shall beלעדתfor the congregation ofבניthe children ofישראלIsraelלמשמרתfor safekeeping:

רַשִׁ״י

למיFor waters ofנדה.sprinklingלְמֵיfor waters ofהַזָּיָה,sprinklingכְּמוֹlike"וַיַּדּוּand they castאֶבֶןa stoneבִּי"upon meאיכהEichahג'three,"לְיַדּוֹתto cast downאֶת—קַרְנוֹתthe horns ofהַגּוֹיִם"the nationsזכריהZechariahב'two,לְשׁוֹןan expression ofזְרִיקָה:throwing

רַשִׁ״י

חטאתa sin offeringהוא.it isלְשׁוֹןan expression ofחִטּוּי,purificationכִּפְשׁוּטוֹ,according to its literal meaningוּלְפִיand according toהִלְכוֹתָיוits lawsקְרָאָהּcalled itהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureחַטָּאת,a sin offeringלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁהִיאthat it isכְּקָדָשִׁיםlike holy thingsלֵאָסֵרto be forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitעי'seeספרי;SifreiמנחותMenachotנ"אanother version:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְכִבֶּסAnd shall washהָאֹסֵףthe one who gathersאֶת—אֵפֶרthe ashes ofהַפָּרָהthe cowאֶת—בְּגָדָיוhis clothesוְטָמֵאand he shall be impureעַדuntilהָעָרֶבthe eveningוְהָיְתָהand it shall beלִבְנֵיfor the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְלַגֵּרand for the strangerהַגָּרwho residesבְּתוֹכָםamong themלְחֻקַּתfor a statute ofעוֹלָם׃eternity

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

הַנֹּגֵעַThe one who touchesבְּמֵתa corpseלְכָלof anyנֶפֶשׁsoul ofאָדָםa humanוְטָמֵאand he shall be impureשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִים׃days

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

הוּאheיִתְחַטָּאshall purify himselfבוֹwith itבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthe thirdוּבַיּוֹםand on the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhיִטְהָרhe shall be pureוְאִםand ifלֹאnotיִתְחַטָּאhe purifies himselfבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthe thirdוּבַיּוֹםand on the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhלֹאnotיִטְהָר׃shall he be pure

רַשִׁ״י

הואHeיתחטאshall purify himselfבו.with itבָּאֵפֶרwith the ashהַזֶּה:this

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

כָּלAnyoneהַנֹּגֵעַwho touchesבְּמֵתa corpseבְּנֶפֶשׁthe body ofהָאָדָםthe personאֲשֶׁרwhoיָמוּתdiesוְלֹאand does notיִתְחַטָּאpurify himselfאֶת—מִשְׁכַּןthe Tabernacle ofיְהוָהHashemטִמֵּאhe has defiledוְנִכְרְתָהand shall be cut offהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulהַהִואthatמִיִּשְׂרָאֵלfrom Yisraelכִּיbecauseמֵיthe water ofנִדָּהsprinklingלֹאwas notזֹרַקdashedעָלָיוupon himטָמֵאimpureיִהְיֶהhe shall beעוֹדstillטֻמְאָתוֹhis impurityבוֹ׃is upon him

רַשִׁ״י

במתwith a dead bodyבנפש.of a personוְאֵיand whichזֶהis thisמֵת?dead bodyשֶׁלofנֶפֶשׁthe soul ofהָאָדָם,manלְהוֹצִיאto excludeנֶפֶשׁthe soul ofבְּהֵמָהan animalשֶׁאֵיןthat notטֻמְאָתָהּits uncleannessצְרִיכָהrequiresהַזָּאָה;sprinklingדָּ"אַ,another explanationבנפשwith a personזוֹthis isרְבִיעִיתa quarter-logדָּםof bloodחוליןChullinע"ב72b:

רַשִׁ״י

את—משכןthe Tabernacle ofה'Hashemטמא.he defiledאִםifנִכְנַסhe enteredלָעֲזָרָהinto the Courtyardאֲפִלּוּevenבִטְבִילָהwith immersionבְּלֹאwithoutהַזָּאַתsprinkling ofשְׁלִישִׁיthe thirdוּשְׁבִיעִי:and the seventh

רַשִׁ״י

עודyetטמאתוhis uncleannessבוis upon him,אַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁטָּבַל:that he immersed

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

זֹאתThis isהַתּוֹרָהthe law ofאָדָםa personכִּיwhenיָמוּתhe diesבְּאֹהֶלin a tentכָּלeveryoneהַבָּאwho comesאֶלintoהָאֹהֶלthe tentוְכָלand everythingאֲשֶׁרthat isבָּאֹהֶלin the tentיִטְמָאshall be impureשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִים׃days

רַשִׁ״י

כלallהבאthat comethאלintoהאהל.the tentבְּעוֹדwhileשֶׁהַמֵּתthe dead body isבְּתוֹכוֹ:within it

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְכֹלand everyכְּלִיvesselפָתוּחַopenאֲשֶׁרwhichאֵיןthere is noצָמִידlidפָּתִילfastenedעָלָיוupon itטָמֵאtameiהוּא׃it is

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd everyכליvesselפתוח.openבִּכְלִיof a vesselחֶרֶסof clayהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureמְדַבֵּר,speaksשֶׁאֵיןwhich does notמְקַבֵּלreceiveטֻמְאָהtumahמִגַּבּוֹfrom its backאֶלָּאbut ratherמִתּוֹכוֹ,from its insideלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִםifאֵיןthere is notמְגוּפַתthe cover ofצְמִידָתוֹits sealingפְּתוּלָהtightly boundעָלָיוupon itיָפֶהwellבְּחִבּוּר,in connectionטָמֵאtameiהוּא,it isהָאbeholdאִםifיֵשׁthere isצָמִידa sealפָּתִילtightly boundעָלָיוupon itטָהוֹרtahorשםthereכ"ה25a:

רַשִׁ״י

פתיל.A threadלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofמְחֻבָּרjoinedבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofעֲרָבִי,Arabicוְכֵןand soבראשיתBereshisל'chapter 30"נַפְתּוּלֵיWith bonds ofאֱלֹהִיםGodנִפְתַּלְתִּי"I have joined—נִתְחַבַּרְתִּיI have connectedעִםwithאֲחוֹתִי:my sister

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְכֹלAnd anyoneאֲשֶׁרwhoיִגַּעtouchesעַלuponפְּנֵיthe openהַשָּׂדֶהfieldבַּחֲלַלone slain byחֶרֶבswordאוֹorבְמֵתa corpseאוֹorבְעֶצֶםa bone ofאָדָםa humanאוֹorבְקָבֶרa graveיִטְמָאshall be tameiשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִים׃days

רַשִׁ״י

עלOnפניthe face ofהשדה.the fieldרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisדָרְשׁוּexpoundedלְרַבּוֹתto includeגּוֹלֵלa coffin lidוְדוֹפֵקand a coffin wallספרי;SifreiחוליןChullinע"ב72.וּפְשׁוּטוֹand its simple meaning—עַלonפְּנֵיthe face ofהַשָּׂדֶה,the fieldשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notשָׁםthereאֹהֶל,a tentמְטַמֵּאrenders uncleanהַמֵּתthe corpseשָׁםthereבִּנְגִיעָה:by contact

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְלָקְחוּAnd they shall takeלַטָּמֵאfor the contaminatedמֵעֲפַרfrom the ashes ofשְׂרֵפַתthe burning ofהַחַטָּאתthe purification offeringוְנָתַןand he shall putעָלָיוupon itמַיִםwaterחַיִּיםlivingאֶלintoכֶּלִי׃a vessel

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְלָקַחAnd shall takeאֵזוֹבhyssopוְטָבַלand shall dipבַּמַּיִםin the waterאִישׁa manטָהוֹרwho is pureוְהִזָּהand he shall sprinkleעַלuponהָאֹהֶלthe tentוְעַלand uponכָּלallהַכֵּלִיםthe vesselsוְעַלand uponהַנְּפָשׁוֹתthe soulsאֲשֶׁרthatהָיוּwereשָׁםthereוְעַלand uponהַנֹּגֵעַthe one who touchesבַּעֶצֶםthe boneאוֹorבֶחָלָלthe slainאוֹorבַמֵּתthe corpseאוֹorבַקָּבֶר׃the grave

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וְהִזָּהAnd he shall sprinkleהַטָּהֹרthe pure personעַלuponהַטָּמֵאthe impure personבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthe thirdוּבַיּוֹםand on the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhוְחִטְּאוֹand he shall cleanse himבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhוְכִבֶּסand he shall washבְּגָדָיוhis clothesוְרָחַץand he shall batheבַּמַּיִםin the waterוְטָהֵרand he shall be pureבָּעָרֶב׃in the evening

רַשִׁ״י

וחטאוand he shall purify himביוםon the dayהשביעי.the seventhהוּאthis isגְמַרthe completion ofטָהֳרָתוֹhis purificationעי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וְאִישׁAnd a manאֲשֶׁרwhoיִטְמָאshall become impureוְלֹאand notיִתְחַטָּאpurify himselfוְנִכְרְתָהthen shall be cut offהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulהַהִואthatמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהַקָּהָלthe congregationכִּיbecauseאֶת—מִקְדַּשׁthe Sanctuary ofיְהוָהHashemטִמֵּאhe defiledמֵיthe waters ofנִדָּהsprinklingלֹאnotזֹרַקwas dashedעָלָיוupon himטָמֵאimpureהוּא׃he is

רַשִׁ״י

ואישAnd a manאשרwhoיטמאshall be uncleanוגו'.etc.אִםIfנֶאֱמַרit is saidמִקְדָּשׁSanctuaryלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַרis it saidמִשְׁכָּן?Tabernacleכו'etc.כִּדְאִיתָאas it isבִשְׁבוּעוֹתin Shevuotדףpageט"ז16:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְהָיְתָהAnd it shall beלָּהֶםfor themלְחֻקַּתas a statute ofעוֹלָםeternityוּמַזֵּהand the one who sprinklesמֵיthe water ofהַנִּדָּהsprinklingיְכַבֵּסshall washבְּגָדָיוhis garmentsוְהַנֹּגֵעַand the one who touchesבְּמֵיthe water ofהַנִּדָּהsprinklingיִטְמָאshall be contaminatedעַדuntilהָעָרֶב׃the evening

רַשִׁ״י

ומזהAnd he who sprinklesמיthe water ofהנדה.sprinklingרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisאָמְרוּsaidשֶׁהַמַּזֶּהthat the one who sprinklesטָהוֹר,is cleanוְזֶהand thisבָאcomesלְלַמֵּדto teachשֶׁהַנּוֹשֵׂאthat the one who carriesמֵיthe water ofחַטָּאתpurificationטָמֵאis uncleanטֻמְאָהwith an uncleannessחֲמוּרָהstringentלְטַמֵּאto render uncleanבְגָדִיםgarmentsשֶׁעָלָיו,that are upon himמַהwhichשֶּׁאֵיןis notכֵּןsoבַּנּוֹגֵעַ,with the one who touchesוְזֶהand thisשֶׁהוֹצִיאthat it expressedבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language of"מַזֶּה","he who sprinkles"לוֹמַרis to sayלְךָto youשֶׁאֵינָןthat they do notמְטַמְּאִיןrender uncleanעַדuntilשֶׁיְּהֵאthere isבָהֶןin themשִׁעוּרa quantityהַזָּאָהof sprinklingנדהNiddahט'9:

רַשִׁ״י

והנגע,And he who touchesיטמא.shall be uncleanוְאֵיןbut notטָעוּןrequiringכִּבּוּסwashing ofבְּגָדִים:garments

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְכֹלAnd whateverאֲשֶׁרthatיִגַּעtouchesבּוֹhimהַטָּמֵאthe impure oneיִטְמָאshall be impureוְהַנֶּפֶשׁand the personהַנֹּגַעַתwho touchesתִּטְמָאshall be impureעַדuntilהָעָרֶב׃the evening

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd everythingאשרwhichיגעtouchesבוhimהטמא.the unclean personהַזֶּהthisשֶׁנִּטְמָאwho became uncleanבְּמֵת,by a corpseיטמאshall become unclean:

רַשִׁ״י

והנפשAnd the soulהנגעתthat touchethבּוֹ:himבִּטְמֵאthat is unclean byמֵת:a corpse

רַשִׁ״י

תטמאshall be uncleanעדuntilהערב.the eveningכָּאןhereלָמַדְנוּwe learnedשֶׁהַמֵּתthat the corpseאֲבִיis a progenitorאֲבוֹתof progenitorsהַטֻּמְאָה,of uncleannessוְנוֹגֵעַand one who touchesבּוֹitאַבis a primary sourceהַטֻּמְאָהof uncleannessוּמְטַמֵּאand renders uncleanאָדָם;a humanזֶהthisפֵרוּשָׁהּis its explanationלְפִיaccording toמַשְׁמָעָהּits literal meaningוְהִלְכוֹתֶיהָ.and its halachosוּמִ"אַand a Midrashic explanationהֶעְתַּקְתִּיI copiedמִיסוֹדוֹfrom the workשֶׁלofרַבִּיRabbiמֹשֶׁהMosheהַדַּרְשָׁןthe Preacherוְזֶהוּ:and this is it

רַשִׁ״י

ויקחוand they shall takeאליך.unto theeמִשֶּׁלָּהֶם,from their ownכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁהֵםthat theyפֵּרְקוּdivestedנִזְמֵיthe earrings ofהַזָּהָבthe goldלָעֵגֶלfor the calfמִשֶּׁלָּהֶם,from their ownכָּךְsoיָבִיאוּshall they bringזוֹthisלְכַפָּרָהfor an atonementמִשֶּׁלָּהֶם:from their ownרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

פרהA cowאדמה.redמָשָׁלA parableלְבֶןto the son ofשִׁפְחָהa handmaidשֶׁטִּנֵּףthat soiledפָּלָטִיןthe palaceשֶׁלofמֶלֶךְ,a kingאָמְרוּThey saidתָּבֹאLet comeאִמּוֹhis motherוּתְקַנֵּחַand wipe upהַצּוֹאָה,the filthכָּךְSoתָּבֹאlet comeפָרָהthe cowוּתְכַפֵּרand atoneעַלforהָעֵגֶלthe calfתנחומאTanchuma:רש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

אדמה.Redעַלonשֵׁםaccount of"אִם"Ifיַאְדִּימוּthey be redכַתּוֹלָע"as scarlet"ישעיהוYeshayahuא'1,שֶׁהַחֵטְאfor the sinקָרוּיis calledאָדֹם:redרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

תמימה.Perfectעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשֶׁהָיוּwho wereתְמִימִים,perfectוְנַעֲשׂוּand becameבוֹthrough itבַּעֲלֵיpossessors ofמוּמִין,blemishesתָּבֹאlet comeזוֹthisוּתְכַפֵּרand atoneעֲלֵיהֶםfor themוְיַחְזְרוּand they shall returnלְתַמּוּתָם:to their perfectionרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotעלהwent upעליהupon herעל.a yokeכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁפָּרְקוּthey cast offמֵעֲלֵיהֶםfrom upon themselvesעֹלthe yoke ofשָׁמַיִם:Heavenרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

אלToאלעזרElazarהכהן.the Kohenכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁנִּקְהֲלוּthat they gatheredעַלagainstאַהֲרֹן,Aharonשֶׁהוּאwho wasכֹּהֵן,a Kohenלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeהָעֵגֶל;the calfוּלְפִיand becauseשֶׁאַהֲרֹןthat Aharonעָשָׂהmadeאֶת—הָעֵגֶלthe calfלֹאnotנִתְּנָהwas givenלוֹto himעֲבוֹדָהserviceזוֹthisעַלbyיָדוֹ,his handשֶׁאֵיןfor notקַטֵּיגוֹרa prosecutorנַעֲשֶׂהbecomesסַנֵּיגוֹר:a defenderרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

ושרףAnd he shall burnאת—הפרה.the cowכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁנִּשְׂרַףwas burntהָעֵגֶל:the calfרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

עץwood ofארזcedarואזובand hyssopושניand crimsonתולעת.woolשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeמִינִיןspeciesהַלָּלוּtheseכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toשְׁלֹשֶׁתthe threeאַלְפֵיthousands ofאִישׁmenשֶׁנָּפְלוּwho fellבָעֵגֶל,by the calfוְאֶרֶזand cedarהוּאit isהַגָּבוֹהַּthe tallestמִכָּלof allהָאִילָנוֹתthe treesוְאֵזוֹבand hyssopנָמוּךְis lowliestמִכֻּלָּם,of them allסִימָןa symbolשֶׁהַגָּבוֹהַּthat the loftyשֶׁנִּתְגָּאָהwho became proudוְחָטָאand sinnedיַשְׁפִּילshould lowerאֶת—עַצְמוֹhimselfכְּאֵזוֹבlike hyssopוְתוֹלַעַתand a wormוְיִתְכַּפֵּרand it will-be-atonedלוֹ:for himרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Darshan

רַשִׁ״י

למשמרת.for keepingכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁפֶּשַׁעthat the transgressionהָעֵגֶלof the calfשָׁמוּרis keptלְדוֹרוֹתfor generationsלְפֻרְעָנוּת,for punishmentוְאֵיןand there is notלְךָto youפְּקֻדָּהa visitationשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהּin itמִפְּקֻדַּתfrom the visitationהָעֵגֶל,of the calfשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וּבְיוֹםand on the dayפָּקְדִיof My visitingוּפָקַדְתִּי"then I will visitוְגוֹ'etceteraשמותShemosל"ב32,וּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁהָעֵגֶלthat the calfמְטַמֵּאrenders uncleanכָּלallהָעוֹסְקִיםwho busy themselvesבּוֹ,with itכָּךְsoפָּרָהthe cowתְטַמֵּאrenders uncleanכָּלallהָעוֹסְקִיןwho busy themselvesבּוֹ,with itוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁנִּטְהֲרוּthey were purifiedבְּאֶפְרוֹ,with its ashesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיִּזֶרand he scatteredעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמַּיִם"the waterוְגוֹ'etceteraשםthere,כָּךְso"וְלָקְחוּand they shall takeלַטָּמֵאfor the uncleanמֵעֲפַרfrom the dustשְׂרֵפַתof the burningהַחַטָּאת"of the purificationוְגוֹ":etceteraרש"יRashiבשםin the name ofר'RabbiמשהMosheהדרשןthe Preacher

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וַיָּבֹאוּAnd they cameבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelכָּלall ofהָעֵדָהthe congregationמִדְבַּרthe wilderness ofצִןTzinבַּחֹדֶשׁin the monthהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstוַיֵּשֶׁבand settledהָעָםthe peopleבְּקָדֵשׁin Kadeshוַתָּמָתand diedשָׁםthereמִרְיָםMiriamוַתִּקָּבֵרand she was buriedשָׁם׃there

רַשִׁ״י

כלall ofהעדה.the congregationעֵדָהa congregationהַשְּׁלֵמָה,that is completeשֶׁכְּבָרfor alreadyמֵתוּhad diedמֵתֵיthe dead ofמִדְבָּרthe wildernessוְאֵלּוּand theseפֵרְשׁוּwere set asideלַחַיִּים:for life

רַשִׁ״י

ותמתAnd she diedשםthereמרים.Miriamלָמָּהwhyנִסְמְכָהwas juxtaposedפָרָשַׁתthe section ofמִיתַתthe death ofמִרְיָםMiriamלְפָרָשַׁתto the section ofפָּרָהthe cowאֲדֻמָּה?redלוֹמַרto sayלְךָ,to youמַהjust asקָּרְבָּנוֹתsacrificesמְכַפְּרִין,atoneאַףso tooמִיתַתthe death ofצַדִּיקִיםthe righteousמְכַפֶּרֶתatonesמועדMoedקטןKatanכ"ח28:

רַשִׁ״י

ותמתAnd she diedשםthereמרים.Miriamאַףevenהִיאsheבִנְשִׁיקָהwith a kissמֵתָה,diedוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it saidבָּהּregarding her"עַל"byפִּיthe mouth ofה'"?Hashem"שֶׁאֵינוֹbecause it is notדֶּרֶךְthe way ofכָּבוֹדrespectשֶׁלofמַעְלָה,Aboveוּבְאַהֲרֹןand regarding Aharonנֶאֱמַרit is said"עַל"byפִּיthe mouth ofה'"Hashem"בְּאֵלֶּהin ElehמַסְעֵיMaseiבמדברBamidbarל"ג33:

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וְלֹאAnd there was notהָיָהanyמַיִםwaterלָעֵדָהfor the congregationוַיִּקָּהֲלוּand they assembledעַלagainstמֹשֶׁהMosheוְעַלand againstאַהֲרֹן׃Aharon

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notהיהthere wasמיםwaterלעדה.for the congregationמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁכָּלthat allאַרְבָּעִיםfortyשָׁנָהyearsהָיָהthere wasלָהֶםto themהַבְּאֵרthe wellבִּזְכוּתin the merit ofמִרְיָםMiriamתעניתTaanisט'9:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיָּרֶבAnd quarreledהָעָםthe peopleעִםwithמֹשֶׁהMosheוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidלֵאמֹרsayingוְלוּand if onlyגָוַעְנוּwe had perishedבִּגְוַעwhen perishedאַחֵינוּour brothersלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

ולוand would thatגוענו.we had diedהַלְוַאיwould thatשֶׁגָּוַעְנוּ:we had died

רַשִׁ״י

בגועIn the dying ofאחינו.our brethrenבְּמִיתַתby the death ofאַחֵינוּour brethrenבַּדֶּבֶר,by the pestilenceלִמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁמִּיתַתthat death ofצָמָאthirstמְגֻנָּהis worseמִמֶּנָּה:than it

רַשִׁ״י

בגוע.In the dying ofשֵׁםa nounדָּבָרof a thingהוּא,it isכְּמוֹlikeבְּמִיתַתby the death ofאַחֵינוּ,our brothersוְלֹאand notיִתָּכֵןis it correctלְפָרְשׁוֹto explain itכְּשֶׁמֵּתוּas when diedאַחֵינוּ,our brothersשֶׁאִםfor ifכֵּןsoהָיָהit would beלוֹfor itלִנָּקֵדto be voweledבִּגְוֹעַ:bigvo'a

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וְלָמָהand whyהֲבֵאתֶםhave you broughtאֶת—קְהַלthe congregation ofיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoהַמִּדְבָּרthe wildernessהַזֶּהthisלָמוּתto dieשָׁםthereאֲנַחְנוּweוּבְעִירֵנוּ׃and our livestock

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וְלָמָהand whyהֶעֱלִיתֻנוּdid you bring us upמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimלְהָבִיאto bringאֹתָנוּusאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהָרָעevilהַזֶּהthisלֹאnotמְקוֹםa place ofזֶרַעseedוּתְאֵנָהand figוְגֶפֶןand vineוְרִמּוֹןand pomegranateוּמַיִםand waterאַיִןthere is noneלִשְׁתּוֹת׃to drink

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַיָּבֹאAnd cameמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאַהֲרֹןand Aaronמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeהַקָּהָלthe congregationאֶלtoפֶּתַחthe entrance ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingוַיִּפְּלוּand they fellעַלuponפְּנֵיהֶםtheir facesוַיֵּרָאand appearedכְבוֹדthe glory ofיְהוָהHashemאֲלֵיהֶם׃to them

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the complete procedure of the Parah Adumah, including its slaughter outside the camp, the burning of its carcass with cedar wood, hyssop, and crimson wool, and the gathering of its ashes for the purification water. It outlines the laws of tumas meis (corpse impurity) for anyone who touches a dead body, enters a tent containing a corpse, or touches a grave, requiring sprinkling with the purification water on the third and seventh days. Finally, the narrative records the death of Miriam, the subsequent loss of water, and the resulting outcry of the congregation against Moshe and Aaron, who fall on their faces at the Tent of Meeting where Hashem's glory appears to them.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah introduces the Parah Adumah as a "Chukas", a decree that transcends human intellect. The most striking paradox of this mitzvah is that the very ashes of the red heifer which purify the defiled actually make the pure cohanim who prepare them impure. Immediately after this, the Torah records the passing of Miriam and the sudden drying up of the well that traveled in her merit, which threw the nation into panic and complaint.

There is a profound connection here for our daily avodah. In life, we often encounter situations that seem completely contradictory or make no logical sense to us. We might do everything right, yet feel spiritually drained or face sudden, confusing hardships, just like the pure cohanim who became impure while helping others, or the nation that suddenly lost its water source after decades of miracles. The yetzer hara wants us to demand immediate explanations, to complain, or to give up when the math of life does not seem to add up.

The lesson of the Chok is that we do not need to understand Hashem's calculations to remain connected to Him. True emunah means accepting that Hashem's ways are higher than our understanding. When you face a situation that feels upside down, or when you do a chessed for someone else and feel like you paid a personal price for it, remember the Parah Adumah. We do what is right because it is the will of Hashem, trusting that the ultimate outcome is purification and growth, even if the process feels confusing right now.

Today, when something does not go according to your plans or makes no sense to you, catch yourself before you complain. Take a deep breath, smile, and say: "Hashem, this is a Chok to me, but I trust that You run the world with perfect wisdom."