Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we see the return of the army from the war against Midian. Moshe Rabbeinu, Elazar HaKohen, and the nesiyim go out to meet them, but Moshe becomes angry with the officers for sparing the Midianite women, who had previously caused Bnei Yisrael to stumble in the devastating sin of Baal Peor. Moshe commands them to eliminate the guilty women and young males, while keeping the pure young girls alive. The soldiers are then instructed to remain outside the camp for seven days to purify themselves and their garments from the defilement of death.

Following this, Elazar HaKohen teaches the soldiers the essential halachos of kashering vessels captured in war, explaining how utensils must be purified through fire or water depending on how they were used. Hashem then commands Moshe and Elazar to take a precise inventory of all the spoils—including the captive women, sheep, cattle, and donkeys—and to divide everything equally between the soldiers who fought in the battle and the rest of the community, with specific portions designated as a levy for Hashem and the Levi'im.

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

וַיֵּצְאוּAnd they went outמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenוְכָלand all ofנְשִׂיאֵיthe leaders ofהָעֵדָהthe assemblyלִקְרָאתָםto meet themאֶלtoמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶה׃to the camp

רַשִׁ״י

ויצאוAnd they went outמשהMosheואלעזרand Elazarהכהן.the Kohenלְפִיbecauseשֶׁרָאוּthat they sawאֶת—נַעֲרֵיthe youths ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelיוֹצְאִיםgoing outלַחֲטֹףto snatchמִןfromהַבִּזָּהthe spoilספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיִּקְצֹףAnd was angryמֹשֶׁהMosheעַלwithפְּקוּדֵיthe officers ofהֶחָיִלthe armyשָׂרֵיthe commanders ofהָאֲלָפִיםthe thousandsוְשָׂרֵיand the commanders ofהַמֵּאוֹתthe hundredsהַבָּאִיםwho came backמִצְּבָאfrom the campaign ofהַמִּלְחָמָה׃the war

רַשִׁ״י

ויקצףAnd was angryמשהMosheעלwithפקודיthe officers ofהחיל.the armyמְמֻנִּיםthose appointedעַלoverהַחַיִל,the armyלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁכָּלthat everyסִרְחוֹןmisdeed ofהַדּוֹרthe generationתָּלוּיis dependentבַּגְּדוֹלִיםon the leadersשֶׁיֵּשׁsince there isכֹּחַpowerבְּיָדָםin their handלִמְחוֹתto protestשםthere:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֲלֵיהֶםto themמֹשֶׁהMosheהַחִיִּיתֶםdid you spareכָּלeveryנְקֵבָה׃female

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

הֵןBeholdהֵנָּהtheyהָיוּwereלִבְנֵיfor the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבִּדְבַרby the word ofבִּלְעָםBilamלִמְסָרto commitמַעַלa betrayalבַּיהוָהagainst Hashemעַלonדְּבַרthe matter ofפְּעוֹרPeorוַתְּהִיand there wasהַמַּגֵּפָהthe plagueבַּעֲדַתin the congregation ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

הןBeholdהנה.theseמַגִּידit teachesשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereמַכִּירִיםrecognizingאוֹתָןthem—זוֹThisהִיאis sheשֶׁנִּכְשַׁלthrough whom stumbledפְּלוֹנִיso-and-soבָהּin herילקוטYalkutשמעוניShimoniתשפ"ה785:

רַשִׁ״י

בדברthrough the word ofבלעם.Balaamאָמַרhe saidלָהֶםto themאֲפִלּוּeven ifאַתֶּםyouמַכְנִיסִיןbring togetherכָּלallהֲמוֹנוֹתthe hostsשֶׁבָּעוֹלָםthat are in the worldאֵיןnotאַתֶּםyouיְכוֹלִיםare ableלָהֶם,against themשֶׁמָּאare perhapsמְרֻבִּיםmore numerousאַתֶּםyouמִןthanהַמִּצְרִיִּיםthe Egyptiansשֶׁהָיוּwho hadשֵׁשׁsixמֵאוֹתhundredרֶכֶבchariotsבָּחוּר?chosenבֹּאוּcomeוְאַשִּׂיאֲכֶםand I will advise youעֵצָה,counselאֱלֹהֵיהֶםthe God ofשֶׁל·אֵלּוּtheseשׂוֹנֵאhatesזִמָּהimmoralityהוּאHe isוְכוּ'etc.כִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְחֵלֶקin Chelekדףpageק"ו106וּבְסִפְרֵי:and in Sifrei

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְעַתָּהAnd nowהִרְגוּslayכָלeveryזָכָרmaleבַּטָּףamong the childrenוְכָלand everyאִשָּׁהwomanיֹדַעַתwho has knownאִישׁa manלְמִשְׁכַּבfor lying withזָכָרa maleהֲרֹגוּ׃slay

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd everyאשהwomanידעתwho knowsאישׁ.manרְאוּיָהwho is fitלִבָּעֵל,to be cohabited withאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִבְעֲלָה,she was cohabited withוְלִפְנֵיand beforeהַצִּיץthe Tzitzהֶעֱבִירוּם,they passed themוְהָרְאוּיָהand she who was fitלִבָּעֵלto be cohabited withפָּנֶיהָher faceמוֹרִיקוֹתturned greenיבמותYevamosס'page 60:

רַשִׁ״י

הרגו.killלָמָּהwhyחָזַרdid he returnוְאָמַר?and sayלְהַפְסִיקto pauseהָעִנְיָן,the matterדִּבְרֵיthe words ofרַבִּיRabbiיִשְׁמָעֵאל,Yishmaelשֶׁאִםfor ifאֲנִיIקוֹרֵאreadהִרְגוּkillכָלeveryזָכָרmaleבַּטָּףamong the childrenוְכָלand everyאִשָּׁהwomanיֹדַעַתknowingאִישׁmanוְכֹלand allהַטַּףthe childrenבַּנָּשִׁיםamong the womenוְגוֹ',etceteraאֵינִיI do notיוֹדֵעַknowאִםwhetherלַהֲרֹגto killעִםwithהַזְּכָרִיםthe malesאוֹorלְהַחֲיוֹתto keep aliveעִםwithהַטַּף,the childrenלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is saidהֲרֹגוּ:kill

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְכֹלand allהַטַּףthe young onesבַּנָּשִׁיםamong the womenאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאnotיָדְעוּhave knownמִשְׁכַּבintimacy ofזָכָרa maleהַחֲיוּkeep aliveלָכֶם׃for yourselves

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְאַתֶּםAnd youחֲנוּshall encampמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶהof the campשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysכֹּלanyoneהֹרֵגwho has killedנֶפֶשׁa personוְכֹלand anyoneנֹגֵעַwho has touchedבֶּחָלָלthe slainתִּתְחַטְּאוּyou shall purifyבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthirdוּבַיּוֹםand on the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיseventhאַתֶּםyouוּשְׁבִיכֶם׃and your captives

רַשִׁ״י

מחוץOutsideלמחנה.the campשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִכָּנְסוּthey should enterלָעֲזָרָה:the Courtyard

רַשִׁ״י

כלwhosoeverהרגhath killedנפש.a personרַ'RabbiמֵאִירMeirאוֹמֵרsaysבְּהוֹרֵגof one who killsבְּדָבָרwith an objectהַמְקַבֵּלthat is receptive ofטֻמְאָהuncleannessהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureמְדַבֵּר,speaksוְלִמֶּדְךָand it teaches youהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureשֶׁהַכְּלִיthat the vesselמְטַמֵּאmakes uncleanאָדָםa manבְּחִבּוּרֵיthrough connection withהַמֵּתthe corpseכְּאִלּוּas ifנוֹגֵעַhe touchesבַּמֵּתthe corpseעַצְמוֹ,itselfאוֹorיָכוֹלperhapsאֲפִלּוּeven ifזָרַקhe shotבּוֹat himחֵץan arrowוַהֲרָגוֹ?and killed himתַּלְמוּדthe teachingלוֹמַרsaysוכלand whosoeverנגעtouchesבחללthe slain,הִקִּישׁit comparesהוֹרֵגone who killsלְנוֹגֵעַ,to one who touchesמַהjust asנּוֹגֵעַone who touchesעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofחִבּוּרוֹ,his connectionאַףso tooהוֹרֵגone who killsעַ"יְby means ofחִבּוּרוֹhis connectionספריSifreiבמדברBamidbarי"ט19:

רַשִׁ״י

תתחטאו.purify yourselvesבְּמֵיwith the waters ofנִדָּהsprinklingכְּדִיןlike the law ofשְׁאָרthe rest ofטְמֵאֵיthose defiled byמֵתִים,corpsesשֶׁאַףfor evenלְדִבְרֵיaccording to the words ofהָאוֹמְרִיםthose who sayקִבְרֵיgraves ofגוֹיִםnon-Jewsאֵינָםdo notמְטַמְּאִיןrender uncleanבָּאֹהֶל,in a tentשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיחזקאלYechezkelל"ד34"וְאַתֵּןand youצֹאנִיMy sheepצֹאןthe sheep ofמַרְעִיתִיMy pastureאָדָםmanאַתֶּם"you are—אַתֶּםyouקְרוּיִםare calledאָדָםman—מוֹדֶהadmitsהוּאheשֶׁהַגּוֹיִםthat non-Jewsמְטַמְּאִיםrender uncleanבְּמַגַּעthrough contactוּבְמַשָּׂא,and through carryingשֶׁלֹּאfor notנֶאֱמַרwas it saidאָדָםmanאֶלָּאexceptאֵצֶלregardingטֻמְאַתthe uncleanness ofאָהֳלוֹת,tentsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"אָדָםa manכִּיwhenיָמוּתhe diesבְּאֹהֶל"in a tentבמדברBamidbarי"ט19:

רַשִׁ״י

אתםyourselvesושביכם.and your captivesלֹאnotשֶׁהַגּוֹיִםthat the non-Jewsמְקַבְּלִיןreceiveטֻמְאָהimpurityוּצְרִיכִיןand requireהַזָּאָה,sprinklingאֶלָּאbutמָהjust asאַתֶּםyouבְּנֵיmembers ofבְרִית,the covenantאַףso tooשְׁבִיכֶםyour captivesכְּשֶׁיָּבֹאוּwhen they enterלַבְּרִיתinto the covenantוְיִטָּמְאוּ,and become uncleanצְרִיכִיןthey requireהַזָּאָהsprinklingספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְכָלAnd everyבֶּגֶדgarmentוְכָלand everyכְּלִיvessel ofעוֹרleatherוְכָלand everyמַעֲשֵׂהwork ofעִזִּיםgoats' hairוְכָלand everyכְּלִיvessel ofעֵץwoodתִּתְחַטָּאוּ׃you shall purify

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd everythingמעשהmade ofעזים.goatsלְהָבִיאto includeכְלֵיvessels ofהַקַּרְנַיִםthe hornsוְהַטְּלָפַיִםand the hoovesוְהָעֲצָמוֹתand the bonesחוליןChullinכ"ה25b:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֶלְעָזָרElazarהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenאֶלtoאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַצָּבָאthe armyהַבָּאִיםwho cameלַמִּלְחָמָהto the battleזֹאתthis isחֻקַּתthe decree ofהַתּוֹרָהthe TorahאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemאֶת—מֹשֶׁה׃Moshe

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd he saidאלעזרElazarהכהןthe Kohenוגו'.etc.לְפִיBecauseשֶׁבָּאthat cameמֹשֶׁהMosheלִכְלַלto the state ofכַּעַסangerבָּאhe cameלִכְלַלto the state ofטָעוּת,errorשֶׁנִּתְעַלְּמוּfor were hiddenמִמֶּנּוּfrom himהִלְכוֹתthe laws ofגִּעוּלֵיpurging vessels ofגּוֹיִם,non-JewsוְכֵןAnd soאַתָּהyouמוֹצֵאfindבַשְּׁמִינִיon the eighthלַמִּלּוּאִים,of the inaugurationשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיִּקְצֹףAnd he was angryעַלwithאֶלְעָזָרElazarוְעַלand withאִיתָמָר"IsamarויקראVayikraי'10—בָּאhe cameלִכְלַלto the state ofכַּעַסangerבָּאhe cameלִכְלַלto the state ofטָעוּת,errorוְכֵןAnd soבְּשִׁמְעוּin Hearנָאnowהַמֹּרִיםyou rebelsבמדברBamidbarכ'20"וַיַּךְand he smoteאֶת—הַסֶּלַע"the rock—עַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofהַכַּעַסthe angerטָעָהhe erredספרי;SifreiפסחיםPesachimס"ו66b:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhichצוהcommandedה'Hashemוגו'.etc.תָּלָהHe hungהַהוֹרָאָהthe rulingבְּרַבּוֹon his teacherעי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

אַךְOnlyאֶת—הַזָּהָבthe goldוְאֶתand —הַכָּסֶףthe silverאֶת—הַנְּחֹשֶׁתthe copperאֶת—הַבַּרְזֶלthe ironאֶת—הַבְּדִילthe tinוְאֶתand —הָעֹפָרֶת׃the lead

רַשִׁ״י

אךOnlyאת—הזהבthe goldוגו'.etc.אַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notהִזְהִירadmonishedלָכֶםyouמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלָּאexceptעַלconcerningהִלְכוֹתthe laws ofטֻמְאָה,impurityעוֹדfurtherיֵשׁthere isלְהַזְהִירto admonishלָכֶםyouעַלconcerningהִלְכוֹתthe laws ofגִּעוּל,purgingוְ"אַךְ"and "only"לְשׁוֹןis a term ofמִעוּט,restrictionכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayמְמֻעָטִיןrestrictedאַתֶּםare youמִלְּהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁfrom usingבַּכֵּלִיםthe vesselsאֲפִלּוּevenלְאַחַרafterטָהֲרָתָןtheir purificationמִטֻּמְאַתfrom the impurity ofהַמֵּתthe corpseעַדuntilשֶׁיִּטְהֲרוּthey are purifiedמִבְּלִיעַתfrom the absorption ofאִסּוּרforbidden food ofנְבֵלוֹת;carcassesוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisאָמְרוּ,saidאךonlyאת—הזהבthe goldלוֹמַר,to sayשֶׁצָּרִיךְthat it is necessaryלְהַעֲבִירto removeחֲלוּדָהrustשֶׁלּוֹitsקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁיַּגְעִילֶנּוּ,he purges itוְזֶהוּand this isלְשׁוֹןthe meaning ofאךonly,שֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאthere shall beשָׁםthereחֲלוּדָהrustאַךְonlyהַמַּתֶּכֶתthe metalיִהְיֶהshall beכְּמוֹasשֶׁהוּא:it is

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

כָּלeveryדָּבָרthingאֲשֶׁרthatיָבֹאcomesבָאֵשׁinto the fireתַּעֲבִירוּyou shall passבָאֵשׁthrough the fireוְטָהֵרand it shall be pureאַךְhoweverבְּמֵיwith water ofנִדָּהsprinklingיִתְחַטָּאit must be purifiedוְכֹלand everythingאֲשֶׁרthatלֹאdoes notיָבֹאcomeבָּאֵשׁinto the fireתַּעֲבִירוּyou shall passבַמָּיִם׃through the water

רַשִׁ״י

כלEveryדברthingאשרthatיבאcomesבאש.in fireלְבַשֵּׁלto cookבּוֹin itכְּלוּם:anything

רַשִׁ״י

תעבירוyou shall passבאש.through the fireכְּדֶרֶךְaccording to the way ofתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹits usageהַגְעָלָתוֹis its purging—מִיthatשֶׁתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹwhose usageעַלis byיְדֵיmeans ofחַמִּיןhot waterיַגְעִילֶנּוּhe shall purge itבְחַמִּין,with hot waterוּמִיand thatשֶׁתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹwhose usageעַ"יְis by means ofצְלִי,roastingכְּגוֹןsuch asהַשְּׁפוּדthe spitוְהָאַסְכְּלָה,and the grillיְלַבְּנוֹhe shall white-heat itבָּאוּרin the fireעבודהAvodahזרהZarahע"ד75b:

רַשִׁ״י

אךNeverthelessבמיwith waters ofנדהsprinklingיתחטא.it shall be purifiedלְפִיAccording toפְשׁוּטוֹits plain senseחִטּוּיpurificationזֶהthisלְטַהֲרוֹis to cleanse itמִטֻּמְאַתfrom uncleanness ofמֵת,a corpseאָמַרHe saidלָהֶםto themצְרִיכִיןrequireהַכֵּלִיםthe vesselsגִּעוּלpurgingלְטַהֲרָםto cleanse themמִןfromהָאִסּוּרthe forbidden foodוְחִטּוּיand purificationלְטַהֲרָןto cleanse themמִןfromהַטֻּמְאָה;the uncleannessוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּAnd our Rabbisדָרְשׁוּderivedמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁאַףthat evenלְהַכְשִׁירָןto make them fitמִןfromהָאִסּוּרthe forbidden foodהִטְעִיןit requiredטְבִילָהimmersionלִכְלֵיfor vessels ofמַתָּכוֹת,metalsוּמֵיand waters ofנִדָּהa niddahהַכְּתוּבִיןthat are writtenכָּאןhereדָּרְשׁוּthey explainedמַיִםwatersהָרְאוּיִםthat are properלִטְבֹּלto immerseבָּהֶםin themנִדָּה,a niddahוְכַמָּהand how muchהֵם?are theyאַרְבָּעִיםfortyסְאָהSeahsשםthereע"ה75b:

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd allאשרthatלאnotיבאdoes comeבאש.in fireכָּלanyדָּבָרvesselשֶׁאֵיןwhose notתַּשְׁמִישׁוֹis its usageעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofהָאוּר,the fireכְּגוֹןsuch asכּוֹסוֹתcupsוּצְלוֹחִיּוֹתand flasksשֶׁתַּשְׁמִישָׁןwhose usageבְּצוֹנֵןis with coldוְלֹאand notבָלְעוּdid they absorbאִסּוּר:forbidden food

רַשִׁ״י

תעבירוye shall passבמים.through waterמַטְבִּילָןhe immerses themוְדַיּוֹ,and that is sufficientוְדַוְקָאand specificallyכְלֵיutensils ofמַתָּכוֹת:metals

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וְכִבַּסְתֶּםAnd you shall washבִּגְדֵיכֶםyour clothesבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhוּטְהַרְתֶּםand you shall be pureוְאַחַרand afterwardתָּבֹאוּyou may enterאֶלintoהַמַּחֲנֶה׃the camp

רַשִׁ״י

אלToהמחנה.the campלְמַחֲנֵהto the camp ofשְׁכִינָה,the Shechinaשֶׁאֵיןfor notטְמֵאone defiled byמֵתa corpseטָעוּןrequiresשִׁלּוּחַexpulsionמִמַּחֲנֵהfrom the camp ofלְוִיָּהthe Leviyahוּמִמַּחֲנֵהand from the camp ofיִשְׂרָאֵל:Yisrael

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheלֵּאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

שָׂאTakeאֵת—רֹאשׁthe sum ofמַלְקוֹחַthe booty ofהַשְּׁבִיthe captivityבָּאָדָםamong manוּבַבְּהֵמָהand among beastאַתָּהyouוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenוְרָאשֵׁיand the heads ofאֲבוֹתthe fathers ofהָעֵדָה׃the congregation

רַשִׁ״י

שאTakeאת—ראש.the sumקַחtakeאֶת—הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן:the census

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְחָצִיתָand you shall divideאֶת—הַמַּלְקוֹחַthe bootyבֵּיןbetweenתֹּפְשֵׂיthe holders ofהַמִּלְחָמָהthe warהַיֹּצְאִיםwho went outלַצָּבָאto the campaignוּבֵיןand betweenכָּלall ofהָעֵדָה׃the congregation

רַשִׁ״י

וחציתAnd you shall divideאת—המלקוחthe preyביןbetweenתפשיthose who seizeהמלחמהthe warוגו'.etc.חֶצְיוֹhalf of itלָאֵלּוּfor theseוְחֶצְיוֹand half of itלָאֵלּוּ:for those

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַהֲרֵמֹתָand you shall separateמֶכֶסa levyלַיהוָהfor Hashemמֵאֵתfromאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַמִּלְחָמָהthe warהַיֹּצְאִיםwho go outלַצָּבָאto the armyאֶחָדoneנֶפֶשׁsoulמֵחֲמֵשׁout of fiveהַמֵּאוֹתhundredמִןfromהָאָדָםthe humansוּמִןand fromהַבָּקָרthe cattleוּמִןand fromהַחֲמֹרִיםthe donkeysוּמִןand fromהַצֹּאן׃the sheep

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

מִמַּחֲצִיתָםfrom their half-shareתִּקָּחוּyou shall takeוְנָתַתָּהand you shall giveלְאֶלְעָזָרto Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenתְּרוּמַתas a contribution ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וּמִמַּחֲצִתand from the halfבְּנֵיof the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelתִּקַּחyou shall takeאֶחָדoneאָחֻזdrawnמִןfromהַחֲמִשִּׁיםthe fiftyמִןfromהָאָדָםthe humansמִןfromהַבָּקָרthe cattleמִןfromהַחֲמֹרִיםthe donkeysוּמִןand fromהַצֹּאןthe sheepמִכָּלfrom allהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalsוְנָתַתָּהand you shall giveאֹתָםthemלַלְוִיִּםto the Levitesשֹׁמְרֵיwho keepמִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofמִשְׁכַּןthe Tabernacle ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיַּעַשׂAnd didמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe KohenכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemאֶת—מֹשֶׁה׃Moshe

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיְהִיAnd it wasהַמַּלְקוֹחַthe bootyיֶתֶרthe remainder ofהַבָּזthe spoilאֲשֶׁרwhichבָּזְזוּhad plunderedעַםthe people ofהַצָּבָאthe armyצֹאןsheepשֵׁשׁsixמֵאוֹתhundredאֶלֶףthousandוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyאֶלֶףthousandוַחֲמֵשֶׁתand fiveאֲלָפִים׃thousand

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd it wasהמלקוחthe preyיתרover and aboveהבז.the bootyלְפִיBecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִצְטַוּוּthey were commandedלְהָרִיםto separateמֶכֶסtributeמִןfromהַמִּטַּלְטְלִיןthe movablesאֶלָּאbutמִןfromהַמַּלְקוֹחַ,the preyכָּתַבit wroteאֶת—הַלָּשׁוֹןthe expressionהַזֶּהthisויהיand it wasהמלקוחthe prey,שֶׁבָּאwhich cameלִכְלַלunder the category ofחֲלֻקָּהdivisionוְלִכְלַלand under the category ofמֶכֶס,tributeשֶׁהָיָהwhich wasעוֹדֵףover and aboveעַלtheבַּזbooty ofהַמִּטַּלְטְלִיןthe movablesאשרwhichבזזוplunderedעםthe men ofהצבאthe hostאישeach manלוfor himselfוְלֹאand did notבָאcomeלִכְלַלunder the category ofחֲלֻקָּהdivision—מִסְפַּרthe number ofהַצֹּאןthe sheepוְגוֹ':etc.

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וּבָקָרand cattleשְׁנַיִםtwoוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyאָלֶף׃thousand

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַחֲמֹרִיםand donkeysאֶחָדoneוְשִׁשִּׁיםand sixtyאָלֶף׃thousand

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וְנֶפֶשׁand humanאָדָםbeingsמִןfromהַנָּשִׁיםthe womenאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאnotיָדְעוּhad knownמִשְׁכַּבintimacy ofזָכָרa maleכָּלallנֶפֶשׁthe soulsשְׁנַיִםtwoוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirtyאָלֶף׃thousand

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַתְּהִיAnd wasהַמֶּחֱצָהthe half-shareחֵלֶקthe portion ofהַיֹּצְאִיםthose who went outבַּצָּבָאin the campaignמִסְפַּרthe number ofהַצֹּאןthe sheepשְׁלֹשׁthreeמֵאוֹתhundredאֶלֶףthousandוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirtyאֶלֶףthousandוְשִׁבְעַתand sevenאֲלָפִיםthousandsוַחֲמֵשׁand fiveמֵאוֹת׃hundred

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיְהִיand wasהַמֶּכֶסthe levyלַיהוָהto Hashemמִןfromהַצֹּאןthe sheepשֵׁשׁsixמֵאוֹתhundredחָמֵשׁfiveוְשִׁבְעִים׃and seventy

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וְהַבָּקָרAnd the cattleשִׁשָּׁהsixוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirtyאָלֶףthousandוּמִכְסָםand their levyלַיהוָהto Hashemשְׁנַיִםtwoוְשִׁבְעִים׃and seventy

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַחֲמֹרִיםand donkeysשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyאֶלֶףthousandוַחֲמֵשׁand fiveמֵאוֹתhundredוּמִכְסָםand their levyלַיהוָהfor Hashemאֶחָדoneוְשִׁשִּׁים׃and sixty

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וְנֶפֶשׁand humanאָדָםbeingsשִׁשָּׁהsixעָשָׂרteenאָלֶףthousandוּמִכְסָםand their levyלַיהוָהto Hashemשְׁנַיִםtwoוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirtyנָפֶשׁ׃souls

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וַיִּתֵּןAnd gaveמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶת—מֶכֶסthe levy ofתְּרוּמַתthe gift ofיְהוָהHashemלְאֶלְעָזָרto Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe KohenכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemאֶת—מֹשֶׁה׃Moshe

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וּמִמַּחֲצִיתand from the halfבְּנֵיof the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֲשֶׁרwhichחָצָהdividedמֹשֶׁהMosheמִןfromהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menהַצֹּבְאִים׃who went to war

רַשִׁ״י

וממחציתand from the half ofבניthe children ofישראלYisraelאשרwhichחצהdividedמשה.Mosheלָעֵדָה,for the congregationוְהוֹצִיאָהּand he took itלָהֶםfor themמןfromהאנשיםthe menהצבאיםwho warred:

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַתְּהִיAnd wasמֶחֱצַתthe half-share ofהָעֵדָהthe congregationמִןfromהַצֹּאןthe sheepשְׁלֹשׁthreeמֵאוֹתhundredאֶלֶףthousandוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirtyאֶלֶףthousandשִׁבְעַתsevenאֲלָפִיםthousandוַחֲמֵשׁand fiveמֵאוֹת׃hundred

רַשִׁ״י

ותהיAnd wasמחצתthe half ofהעדה.the congregationכָּךְsuchוְכָךְ:and such

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

וּבָקָרand cattleשִׁשָּׁהsixוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirtyאָלֶף׃thousand

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וַחֲמֹרִיםand donkeysשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyאֶלֶףthousandוַחֲמֵשׁand fiveמֵאוֹת׃hundred

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

וְנֶפֶשׁand humanאָדָםbeingsשִׁשָּׁהsixעָשָׂרteenאָלֶף׃thousand

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookמֹשֶׁהMosheמִמַּחֲצִתfrom the half-share ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶת—הָאָחֻזthe portion ofאֶחָדoneמִןfromהַחֲמִשִּׁיםthe fiftyמִןfromהָאָדָםthe humansוּמִןand fromהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalsוַיִּתֵּןand he gaveאֹתָםthemלַלְוִיִּםto the Levitesשֹׁמְרֵיwho guardמִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofמִשְׁכַּןthe Tabernacle ofיְהוָהHashemכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemאֶת—מֹשֶׁה׃Moshe

רַשִׁ״י

ויקחAnd tookמשהMosheוגו'.etc.

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

וַיִּקְרְבוּAnd they approachedאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheהַפְּקֻדִיםthe commandersאֲשֶׁרwhoלְאַלְפֵיwere over thousandsהַצָּבָאof the armyשָׂרֵיofficers ofהָאֲלָפִיםthe thousandsוְשָׂרֵיand officers ofהַמֵּאוֹת׃the hundreds

רַשִׁ״י

הפקדים.the appointed onesהַמְמֻנִּים:those appointed

פָּסוּק לז

Pasuk 37

וַיֹּאמְרוּAnd they saidאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheעֲבָדֶיךָyour servantsנָשְׂאוּhave takenאֶת—רֹאשׁthe sum ofאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַמִּלְחָמָהthe warאֲשֶׁרwhoבְּיָדֵנוּare in our chargeוְלֹאand notנִפְקַדis missingמִמֶּנּוּfrom usאִישׁ׃a man

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notנפקד.was missingלֹאnotנֶחְסַר,was lackingוְתַרְגּוּמוֹand its translation"לָאnotשְׁגָא",was lackingאַףevenהוּאitבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofאֲרַמִיAramaicחִסָּרוֹן,lackingכְּמוֹlike"אָנֹכִיIאֲחַטֶּנָּה"will make it goodבראשיתBereishisל"א31תַרְגּוּמוֹits translation"דַּהֲוַתwhich wasשָׁגְיָאlackingמִמִּנְיָנָא",from the countוְכֵןand so"כִּיforיִפָּקֵדwill be emptyמוֹשָׁבֶךָ"your seatשמואלShmuelאAlephכ'20—יֶחְסַרwill lackמְקוֹםthe place ofמוֹשָׁבְךָ,your seatאִישׁthe manהָרָגִילwho is accustomedלֵישֵׁבto sitשָׁם,thereוְכֵןand so"וַיִּפָּקֵדand was emptyמְקוֹםthe place ofדָּוִד"Dovidשםthere—נֶחְסַרlackedמְקוֹמוֹhis placeוְאֵיןand there is noאִישׁmanיוֹשֵׁבsittingשָׁם:there

פָּסוּק לח

Pasuk 38

וַנַּקְרֵבAnd we broughtאֶת—קָרְבַּןthe offering ofיְהוָהHashemאִישׁeach manאֲשֶׁרwhatמָצָאhe foundכְלִיan article ofזָהָבgoldאֶצְעָדָהan armletוְצָמִידand a braceletטַבַּעַתa ringעָגִילan earringוְכוּמָזand a body-ornamentלְכַפֵּרto atoneעַלforנַפְשֹׁתֵינוּour soulsלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

אצעדה.Ankletאֵלּוּthese areצְמִידִיםbandsשֶׁלofרֶגֶל:the foot

רַשִׁ״י

וצמיד.and a braceletשֶׁלofיָד:the hand

רַשִׁ״י

עגיל.an earring isנִזְמֵיrings ofאֹזֶן:the ear

רַשִׁ״י

וכומז.And a kumazדְּפוּסa moldשֶׁלofבֵּיתthe place ofהָרֶחֶם,the wombלְכַפֵּרto atone forהִרְהוּרthe thought ofהַלֵּבthe heartשֶׁלofבְּנוֹתthe daughters ofמִדְיָןMidyanשבתShabbosס"ד64:

פָּסוּק לט

Pasuk 39

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenאֶת—הַזָּהָבthe goldמֵאִתָּםfrom themכֹּלallכְּלִיvessels ofמַעֲשֶׂה׃wrought work

פָּסוּק מ

Pasuk 40

וַיְהִיAnd it wasכָּלallזְהַבthe gold ofהַתְּרוּמָהthe offeringאֲשֶׁרwhichהֵרִימוּthey separatedלַיהוָהto Hashemשִׁשָּׁהsixעָשָׂרteenאֶלֶףthousandשְׁבַעsevenמֵאוֹתhundredוַחֲמִשִּׁיםand fiftyשָׁקֶלshekelsמֵאֵתfromשָׂרֵיthe officers ofהָאֲלָפִיםthe thousandsוּמֵאֵתand fromשָׂרֵיthe officers ofהַמֵּאוֹת׃the hundreds

פָּסוּק מא

Pasuk 41

אַנְשֵׁיThe men ofהַצָּבָאthe armyבָּזְזוּplunderedאִישׁeach manלוֹ׃for himself

פָּסוּק מב

Pasuk 42

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenאֶת—הַזָּהָבthe goldמֵאֵתfromשָׂרֵיthe officers ofהָאֲלָפִיםthe thousandsוְהַמֵּאוֹתand the hundredsוַיָּבִאוּand they broughtאֹתוֹitאֶלtoאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingזִכָּרוֹןas a remembranceלִבְנֵיfor the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃Hashem

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the exact distribution of the massive spoils of war, with Moshe faithfully delivering the designated portions to Elazar HaKohen and the Levi'im as Hashem commanded. Following the accounting, the military commanders approach Moshe with a beautiful and miraculous report: not a single soldier was lost in the battle. Out of deep gratitude to Hashem and to make expiation for their souls, the officers bring a voluntary offering of all the gold jewelry they plundered, which Moshe and Elazar place in the Ohel Moed as a lasting remembrance for Bnei Yisrael before Hashem.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

When the commanders of the army returned from the war with Midian, they realized a staggering miracle had occurred: "not one of us is missing." Out of thousands of soldiers, not a single life was lost. Their immediate response was not to boast or simply celebrate their survival, but to bring a voluntary offering of gold to Hashem to make expiation for their souls. They understood that when Hashem performs a miracle for you, it is not a moment for self-congratulation; it is a call to draw closer to Him and elevate the physical gifts He has spared.

In our own lives, we often experience moments of rescue, success, or unexpected relief. We might get through a difficult health scare, close a stressful business deal, or watch our children emerge safely from a dangerous situation. The yetzer hara wants us to breathe a sigh of relief, say "phew, I got lucky," and move on with our day. But the Torah is teaching us a different path of avodah. A moment of salvation is a holy invitation. It demands that we stop, recognize the hand of Hashem, and ask: "How do I use this spared life and these resources to serve Him better?"

When Hashem carries you through a challenge, do not let the moment pass as mere good fortune. Turn your relief into a tangible act of holiness. Take the energy of your gratitude and channel it directly into a mitzvah, showing Hashem that you recognize His kindness and want to bring His presence deeper into your life.

Today, think of one recent success, safety, or relief you experienced, and immediately do a concrete mitzvah, such as giving extra tzedakah or learning a few extra lines of Torah, specifically as an expression of gratitude to Hashem.