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Numbers 19:4 - Priest purifies with red heifer

Numbers 19:4 - במדבר 19:4

Hebrew Text

וְלָקַח אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן מִדָּמָהּ בְּאֶצְבָּעוֹ וְהִזָּה אֶל־נֹכַח פְּנֵי אֹהֶל־מוֹעֵד מִדָּמָהּ שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים׃

English Translation

and El῾azar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood towards the front of the Tent of Meeting seven times:

Transliteration

Velakach Elazar hakohen midama be'etzba'o vehiza el-nochach pnei ohel-mo'ed midama sheva pe'amim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְלָקַ֞ח אֶלְעָזָ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן מִדָּמָ֖הּ בְּאֶצְבָּע֑וֹ וְהִזָּ֞ה אֶל־נֹ֨כַח פְּנֵ֧י אֹֽהֶל־מוֹעֵ֛ד מִדָּמָ֖הּ שֶׁ֥בַע פְּעָמִֽים׃
וְלָקַ֞ח אֶלְעָזָ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן מִדָּמָ֖הּ בְּאֶצְבָּע֑וֹ וְהִזָּ֞ה אֶל־נֹ֨כַח פְּנֵ֧י אֹֽהֶל־מוֹעֵ֛ד מִדָּמָ֖הּ שֶׁ֥בַע פְּעָמִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Bamidbar 19:4) describes part of the purification process of the parah adumah (red heifer), a ritual performed to remove the impurity contracted through contact with the dead. The procedure was carried out by Elazar, the son of Aharon the Kohen Gadol, outside the camp.

Role of Elazar the Kohen

Rashi (Bamidbar 19:3) explains that Elazar, rather than Aharon, performed this mitzvah to teach that even the Kohen Gadol could become impure through involvement with the parah adumah. The Rambam (Hilchos Parah Adumah 1:3) elaborates that this role was specifically assigned to Elazar to establish a precedent for future generations.

The Sprinkling of Blood

  • With his finger: The Mishnah (Parah 3:9) states that the Kohen used his right hand for this action, as with other sacrificial services in the Mishkan.
  • Towards the Tent of Meeting: Ibn Ezra notes that this direction was chosen because the Mishkan represented the dwelling place of the Divine Presence, and the sprinkling was an act of purification directed toward holiness.
  • Seven times: The number seven, as explained by the Sforno, symbolizes completeness in the natural world (reflecting the seven days of Creation) and thus represents the complete purification from tum'as meis (impurity from the dead).

Symbolism of the Parah Adumah

The Talmud (Yoma 14a) discusses the paradox of the parah adumah - while it purifies those who are impure, it renders impure those who are involved in its preparation. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:4) connects this to the concept that some mitzvos are chukim (statutes beyond human comprehension), teaching humility before Hashem's commandments.

Practical Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Parah Adumah 4:4) details how this sprinkling was performed facing the entrance of the Mishkan, even when performed outside the camp. This maintained the connection between the purification process and the central location of Divine service, despite the ritual's unusual location outside the sacred precincts.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 42b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the sprinkling of blood in the Temple service, comparing it to the procedures described in the Torah.
📖 Zevachim 26a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the proper method and location for sprinkling blood during sacrificial rites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Numbers 19:4?
A: Numbers 19:4 describes part of the purification process involving the red heifer (para aduma). Elazar the Kohen (priest) takes the blood of the red heifer with his finger and sprinkles it seven times toward the front of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). This act symbolizes purification from ritual impurity caused by contact with the dead, as explained in Rashi and the Talmud (Yoma 42b).
Q: Why is the blood sprinkled seven times?
A: The number seven in the Torah often represents completeness or spiritual perfection. Here, sprinkling the blood seven times (as mentioned in Numbers 19:4) signifies the thoroughness of the purification process. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:4) connects this to the idea of complete atonement and cleansing from impurity.
Q: Who was Elazar the Kohen, and why did he perform this ritual?
A: Elazar was the son of Aharon the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and served as a priest in the Mishkan. He was chosen for this role because the red heifer ritual was a unique and sacred duty requiring a high level of purity and authority, as explained in the Mishnah (Parah 3:1) and Rambam (Hilchos Parah Adumah 1:1).
Q: What is the significance of sprinkling blood toward the Mishkan?
A: Sprinkling the blood toward the Mishkan (Tabernacle) symbolizes directing the purification process toward the dwelling place of the Divine Presence. The Mishkan was the center of holiness, and this act reinforced the connection between ritual purity and closeness to Hashem, as discussed in Rashi and the Talmud (Zevachim 6a).
Q: Does the red heifer ritual apply today?
A: The red heifer ritual is not practiced today because we lack the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) and a validly anointed Kohen. However, its laws are still studied as part of Torah learning, and many await the future rebuilding of the Temple when these mitzvot will be observed again, as explained in Rambam's Mishneh Torah (Hilchos Parah Adumah).