Numbers 31:24 - Purification before reentry.

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 31:24, in the context of the purification process for the Israelites after their battle with Midian. The Torah commands those who came into contact with the dead (tumat met) to undergo a seven-day purification process, including washing their garments on the seventh day before reentering the camp.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that the washing of clothes on the seventh day is part of the purification process for those who were ritually impure due to contact with the dead. He emphasizes that this washing is not merely for physical cleanliness but serves as a spiritual purification, allowing them to reenter the sacred space of the camp. Rashi also notes that the phrase "and afterwards you shall come into the camp" indicates that entry is permitted only after completing the full purification process.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Tum'at Met (Laws of Impurity from the Dead) explains that the washing of garments is a necessary step to remove the impurity contracted through contact with the dead. He connects this mitzvah to the broader halachic framework of taharah (purification), where physical actions symbolize spiritual renewal. Rambam stresses that the seventh day marks the completion of the purification period, after which one may return to communal life.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah (22:6) elaborates that the washing of garments symbolizes the shedding of impurity and the renewal of one's spiritual state. It compares this process to repentance (teshuvah), where external actions reflect internal change. The Midrash also highlights the significance of the seventh day as a time of completion and restoration, aligning with the concept of Shabbat as a day of spiritual elevation.

Halachic Implications

• The washing of clothes is a mandatory step in the purification process for those who have contracted tumat met.
• The seventh day is critical, as it concludes the purification period and permits reentry into the camp.
• This mitzvah underscores the Torah's emphasis on maintaining the sanctity of communal spaces by ensuring ritual purity.

Symbolic Meaning

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that the act of washing garments represents the removal of external influences of impurity, while the seven-day period reflects a complete cycle of spiritual renewal. The return to the camp signifies reintegration into the holy community, now in a state of purity. This teaches the enduring lesson that physical actions, when performed with intentionality, can elevate one's spiritual standing.