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Numbers 31:27 - War spoils: fighters or community?

Numbers 31:27 - במדבר 31:27

Hebrew Text

וְחָצִיתָ אֶת־הַמַּלְקוֹחַ בֵּין תֹּפְשֵׂי הַמִּלְחָמָה הַיֹּצְאִים לַצָּבָא וּבֵין כָּל־הָעֵדָה׃

English Translation

and divide the prey into two parts; between those who took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:

Transliteration

Vechatzita et-hamalkoach bein tofsei hamilchama hayotzeim latzava uvein kol-ha'edah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְחָצִ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־הַמַּלְק֔וֹחַ בֵּ֚ין תֹּפְשֵׂ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים לַצָּבָ֑א וּבֵ֖ין כׇּל־הָעֵדָֽה׃
וְחָצִ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־הַמַּלְק֔וֹחַ בֵּ֚ין תֹּפְשֵׂ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים לַצָּבָ֑א וּבֵ֖ין כׇּל־הָעֵדָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Division of the Spoils in War

The verse (Numbers 31:27) commands the division of war spoils into two equal portions—one for the soldiers who fought in battle and one for the rest of the congregation. This law establishes a principle of fairness and communal responsibility in warfare.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that this division applies specifically to the spoils taken from the Midianites. He notes that the Torah mandates an equal split, teaching that those who remained in camp—supporting the war effort through prayer and other means—also merit a share in the victory. This reflects the idea that kol Yisrael areivim zeh lazeh ("all Jews are responsible for one another").

Halachic Perspective (Rambam)

Rambam (Maimonides) discusses this law in Hilchot Melachim (Laws of Kings 8:4), stating that this division applies only to voluntary wars (milchemet reshut), not obligatory wars (milchemet mitzvah). In obligatory wars, all spoils belong to the fighters, as the entire nation is already spiritually invested in the war's success.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:4) elaborates that this division teaches the importance of unity. Even those who did not physically fight contributed to the war effort in other ways—whether through Torah study, prayer, or logistical support. Thus, they too deserve a portion of the spoils.

Practical Implications

  • The division ensures that the entire community benefits from military success, reinforcing collective responsibility.
  • It discourages greed among soldiers, as they cannot claim all spoils for themselves.
  • This law highlights that victory in battle is not solely due to physical strength but also to divine assistance and communal merit.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 31:27 mean about dividing the spoils of war?
A: Numbers 31:27 teaches that when the Israelites went to war, the spoils were divided equally between the soldiers who fought and the rest of the community. This shows the importance of recognizing both the fighters' efforts and the support of the entire nation (Rashi on Numbers 31:27).
Q: Why is it important to share war spoils with the whole community?
A: Sharing the spoils with the entire community emphasizes that victory in battle depends not just on the soldiers, but on the spiritual merit and support of all Israel (Midrash Tanchuma, Matot 3). It teaches unity and mutual responsibility.
Q: How does the division of spoils in Numbers 31:27 apply today?
A: While we don't have wars like in biblical times, the principle teaches that those who take risks (like soldiers or community leaders) and those who support them (the community) should share both burdens and benefits. This applies to communal efforts and charity today (Rambam, Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 8:10).