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Numbers 5:4 - Purity outside the camp

Numbers 5:4 - במדבר 5:4

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵן בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיְשַׁלְּחוּ אוֹתָם אֶל־מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כֵּן עָשׂוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And the children of Yisra᾽el did so, and put them out outside the camp: as the Lord spoke to Moshe, so did the children of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Va'ya'asu-chen bnei Yisrael va'yishalchu otam el-michutz la'machane ka'asher diber Adonai el-Moshe chen asu bnei Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְשַׁלְּח֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֥ן עָשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְשַׁלְּח֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֥ן עָשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 5:4) describes the fulfillment of Hashem's command to Moshe regarding the temporary expulsion of individuals with certain forms of ritual impurity (tum'ah) from the Israelite camp. The Torah emphasizes the obedience of Bnei Yisrael in carrying out this directive precisely as instructed.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bamidbar 5:4) notes that the double language of "וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵן... כֵּן עָשׂוּ" ("And they did so... so they did") teaches that Bnei Yisrael complied immediately and completely with Hashem's command. This repetition highlights their unwavering commitment to fulfilling the divine will without delay or deviation.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at (10:6), Rambam explains that this expulsion served both a practical and spiritual purpose: to maintain the sanctity of the camp, which housed the Mishkan (Divine Presence). Those with severe tum'ah were temporarily separated to prevent spiritual contamination of the community.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Sifrei (Bamidbar 5:3) connects this to the three concentric camps of Israel (Mishkan, Leviim, and general camp), each with different levels of holiness and corresponding restrictions.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Tazria 13) compares this to a king who temporarily removes spoiled food from his palace - the impurity must be distanced from holiness.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 169) derives from this verse the eternal principle that maintaining communal holiness sometimes requires temporary separation of individuals until their tum'ah is resolved. This concept later informs laws regarding metzora'im (lepers) and other forms of ritual impurity.

Spiritual Message

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that Bnei Yisrael's exact compliance teaches the importance of executing divine commandments with precision. The verse's structure - beginning and ending with their obedience - forms a literary "camp" around the action, mirroring how adherence to mitzvot creates spiritual boundaries.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 5:4 mean when it says the Israelites sent people outside the camp?
A: This verse refers to the commandment to send individuals who were ritually impure (tamei) outside the Israelite camp to maintain the sanctity of the community. Rashi explains that this applied to three types of impurity: those with tzara'at (a spiritual skin affliction), those with bodily discharges (zav/zavah), and those who came into contact with the dead. The camp was holy, especially when the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was present, so temporary separation was necessary until they became pure again.
Q: Why was it important to send impure people outside the camp in Numbers 5:4?
A: The Torah emphasizes holiness, and the presence of impurity in the camp could affect the spiritual purity of the entire community, especially since the Divine Presence (Shechinah) dwelled among them. The Rambam (Hilchot Tum'at Tzara'at) teaches that this separation also served as a reminder of the seriousness of maintaining purity and the consequences of neglecting mitzvot. It reinforced the idea that holiness requires boundaries.
Q: How does the concept of sending impure people outside the camp apply today?
A: While we no longer have the Mishkan or Temple, the principle of maintaining spiritual and physical purity remains relevant. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) teaches that sin creates a separation between a person and Hashem, much like impurity did in biblical times. Today, we focus on teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and avoiding negative influences to preserve our spiritual 'camp'—our homes and communities.
Q: What can we learn from the Israelites' obedience in Numbers 5:4?
A: The verse highlights the importance of following divine commandments precisely ('as the Lord spoke to Moshe, so did the children of Israel'). The Midrash (Sifrei Bamidbar) praises the Israelites for their immediate compliance without hesitation. This teaches us the value of alacrity (zerizut) in fulfilling mitzvot and trusting in Hashem's wisdom, even when the reasons aren't immediately clear.