Deuteronomy 23:12 - Evening purification before reentry?

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Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה לִפְנוֹת־עֶרֶב יִרְחַץ בַּמָּיִם וּכְבֹא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ יָבֹא אֶל־תּוֹךְ הַמַּחֲנֶה׃

English Translation

but it shall be, when evening comes on, he shall bathe himself in water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

Transliteration

Ve'hayah lifnot-erev yirchatz ba'mayim u'chevo ha'shemesh yavo el-toch ha'machaneh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֥ה לִפְנֽוֹת־עֶ֖רֶב יִרְחַ֣ץ בַּמָּ֑יִם וּכְבֹ֣א הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ יָבֹ֖א אֶל־תּ֥וֹךְ הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 23:12) discusses the laws of ritual purity for soldiers in a military camp. It specifies that one who becomes impure must immerse in water and wait until sunset before re-entering the camp. This reflects the Torah's emphasis on maintaining kedushah (holiness) even in wartime.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 23:12) explains that "when evening comes on" refers to the time when the sun begins to set ("lifnot erev"), and "when the sun is down" ("kevo hashemesh") means complete sunset. The immersion must occur before sunset, but the person remains in a state of impurity until nightfall (tzeis hakochavim). Only then may they re-enter the camp.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 6:15) derives from this verse that soldiers must maintain standards of purity even during war. He emphasizes that the Jewish camp must be holy, as stated in Devarim 23:15 ("For Hashem your God walks in the midst of your camp... therefore your camp shall be holy").

Talmudic Discussion

The Gemara (Chagigah 19a) discusses how this verse teaches that immersion must be during daylight hours, as "when evening comes on" implies before complete nightfall.
Yoma 28b connects this to the concept that tevilah (immersion) must be performed while the sun is still visible ("yirchatz bamayim" during "lifnot erev").

Midrashic Insights

The Sifrei (Devarim 258) explains that this commandment teaches that even in the difficult circumstances of war, Jews must maintain spiritual discipline. The requirement to leave the camp and immerse shows that kedushah takes precedence over military convenience.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Sfas Emes (Devarim 23:12) sees this as a metaphor for spiritual renewal. Just as the soldier must cleanse himself physically before returning, we must regularly cleanse ourselves spiritually through teshuvah before returning to our "camp" - our proper service of Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 28a

The verse is referenced in the discussion about the timing of immersion for purification, particularly in relation to the evening and the setting of the sun.

📖 Chullin 83a

The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws of ritual purity and the specific times for immersion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 23:12 mean about bathing in the evening?
A: Deuteronomy 23:12 teaches that a person who became ritually impure (tamei) must immerse in water (tevilah) and wait until sunset to become pure again before reentering the camp. This shows the Torah's emphasis on spiritual purity, especially in communal spaces. Rashi explains this applies to impurity from certain bodily emissions (keri).

Q: Why does the Torah specify waiting until sunset after bathing?
A: The requirement to wait until sunset (known as 'nightfall' or 'tzeis hakochavim') is a key part of the purification process for certain types of impurity. The Rambam (Hilchos Mechusrei Kaparah 1:1-3) explains that for some impurities, immersion alone isn't enough - one must also wait for the day to end ('veshev ad erev'). This teaches us about the gradual nature of spiritual renewal.

Q: How does this verse apply to Jewish practice today?
A: While we no longer have the Temple or its camp, the principles remain: 1) The mikveh (ritual bath) is still used for purification, especially by women after niddah and converts. 2) The concept of waiting until nightfall continues in laws like the end of Shabbat or Yom Kippur. The Talmud (Berachos 2a) derives from this verse that 'evening' begins at sunset.

Q: What's the significance of 'coming into the camp' in this verse?
A: The 'camp' refers to the sacred communal space where God's Presence dwelled. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 258) explains that maintaining purity in the camp was essential because 'Hashem walks in the midst of your camp' (Deuteronomy 23:15). Today, this teaches us to be mindful of spiritual cleanliness in our communities and homes.

Q: Why does the Torah use both 'evening' and 'sunset' in this verse?
A: Rashi notes the dual language teaches that purification requires both immersion AND the passage of time ('tevilah v'he'erev shemesh'). The 'evening' refers to the start of the process (immersion), while 'sunset' marks its completion. This shows that spiritual growth often requires both active effort (tevilah) and patience (waiting for nightfall).