## Rashi on Numbers Chapter 19

###### Rashi on Numbers 19:2:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:2:1)

**זאת חקת התורה.** לְפִי שֶׁהַשָּׂטָן וְאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מוֹנִין אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, לוֹמַר מַה הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת וּמַה טַּעַם יֵשׁ בָּהּ? לְפִיכָךְ כָּתַב בָּהּ חֻקָּה — גְּזֵרָה הִיא מִלְּפָנַי, אֵין לְךָ רְשׁוּת לְהַרְהֵר אַחֲרֶיהָ (יומא ס"ז):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
וזאת חקת התורה THIS IS THE ORDINANCE OF THE LAW — Because Satan and the nations of the world taunt Israel, saying, “What is this command and what reason is there for it”, on this account it (Scripture) writes (uses) the term חקה about it, implying: It is an enactment from before Me; you have no right to criticize it (Yoma 67b; cf. Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 7).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:2:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:2:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:2:2)

**ויקחו אליך.** לְעוֹלָם הִיא נִקְרֵאת עַל שִׁמְךָ — פָּרָה שֶׁעָשָׂה מֹשֶׁה בַּמִּדְבָּר:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
ויקחו אליך THEY SHALL TAKE UNTO THEE — It will always be called by thy name: people will speak of the cow which Moses prepared in the wilderness (Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 8).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:2:3
[Rashi on Numbers 19:2:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:2:3)

**אדמה תמימה.** שֶׁתְּהֵא תְמִימָה בְּאַדְמִימוּת, שֶׁאִם הָיוּ בָהּ שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת שְׁחֹרוֹת פְּסוּלָה (פרה פ"ב):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אדמה תמימה [A COW] RED, PERFECT — This means that it should be perfect in respect to its redness (Sifrei Bamidbar 123:1), — so that if there are two black hairs in it (or two of any color other than red) it is unfitted for the rite here described (Mishnah Parah 2:5).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:3:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:3:1)

**אלעזר.** מִצְוָתָהּ בַּסְּגָן (ספרי):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אלעזר [YE SHALL GIVE IT TO] ELEAZAR — The command concerning it is to be carried out by the Segan (the second to the High Priest) (Sifrei Bamidbar 123:2; Yoma 42b).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:3:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:3:2)

**אל מחוץ למחנה.** חוּץ לְשָׁלוֹשׁ מַחֲנוֹת:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אל מחוץ למחנה [HE SHALL BRING IT FORTH] WITHOUT THE CAMP — Outside the three camps (Yoma 68a; cf. Rashi on Leviticus 4:12).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:3:3
[Rashi on Numbers 19:3:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:3:3)

**ושחט אתה לפניו.** זָר שׁוֹחֵט וְאֶלְעָזָר רוֹאֶה (שם; יומא מ"ב):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
ושחט אתה לפניו AND ONE SHALL SLAUGHTER IT IN HIS PRESENCE — A stranger (a non-priest) slaughters it while Eleazar looks on (superintends) (Sifrei Bamidbar 123:2; Yoma 42a).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:4:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:4:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:4:1)

**אל נכח פני אהל מועד.** עוֹמֵד בְּמִזְרָחוֹ שֶׁל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וּמִתְכַּוֵּן וְרוֹאֶה פִתְחוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל בִּשְׁעַת הַזָּאַת הַדָּם (ספרי; זבחים ק"ה):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אל נכח פני אהל מועד [HE SHALL SPRINKLE THE BLOOD] TOWARDS THE FRONT SIDE OF THE APPOINTED TENT He stands at the East of Jerusalem and must direct his gaze straight towards the entrance of the Hechal at the time of sprinkling the blood (Sifrei Bamidbar 123:2; Yoma 68a).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:7:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:7:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:7:1)

**אל המחנה.** לְמַחֲנֵה שְׁכִינָה, שֶׁאֵין טָמֵא מְשֻׁלָּח חוּץ לִשְׁתֵּי מַחֲנוֹת אֶלָּא זָב וּבַעַל קֶרִי וּמְצֹרָע (עי' פסחים ס"ז):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אל המחנה [AND AFTERWARDS HE MAY COME] INTO THE CAMP — into the camp of the Shechina (in the case of the Temple at Jerusalem, into the forecourt, the עזרה, immediately in front of the Temple), from which alone he had been barred, for no unclean person was expelled from two camps (i.e. from more than one, viz., the מחנה שכינה) except a person with a running issue and a man who had experienced a seminal emission (who were expelled from the מחנה שכינה and מחנה לויה), and a leper (who had to remain outside all three) (cf. Pesachim 67a).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:7:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:7:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:7:2)

**וטמא הכהן עד הערב.** סָרְסֵהוּ וְדָרְשֵׁהוּ — וְטָמֵא עַד הָעֶרֶב וְאַחַר יָבֹא אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
וטמא הכהן עד הערב [AND AFTERWARDS HE SHALL COME INTO THE CAMP] AND THE PRIEST SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTO THE EVENING — Invert its order (that of the phrases forming this half of the verse), and then explain it: He shall be unclean until the evening and afterwards he shall come into the camp (cf Rashi Leviticus 11:32 and Note thereon).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:9:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:9:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:9:1)

**והניח מחוץ למחנה.** לִשְׁלֹשָׁה חֲלָקִים מְחַלְּקָהּ, אֶחָד נָתַן בְּהַר הַמִּשְׁחָה, וְאֶחָד מִתְחַלֵּק לְכָל הַמִּשְׁמָרוֹת, וְאֶחָד נָתַן בַּחֵיל (ספרי; פרה פ"ג), זֶה שֶׁל מִשְׁמָרוֹת הָיָה חוּץ לָעֲזָרָה, לִטֹּל מִמֶּנּוּ בְּנֵי הָעֲיָרוֹת וְכָל הַצְּרִיכִין לִטָּהֵר, וְזֶה שֶׁבְּהַר הַמִּשְׁחָה כֹּהֲנִים גְּדוֹלִים לְפָרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת מְקַדְּשִׁין הֵימֶנָּה, וְזֶה שֶׁבַּחֵיל נָתוּן לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת מִגְּזֵרַת הַכָּתוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר **והיתה לעדת בני ישראל למשמרת**:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
והניח מחוץ למחנה AND HE SHALL LAY THEM UP WITHOUT THE CAMP — He divided it (the ashes) into three portions: one he placed on Mount Olivet, another was divided between all the priestly divisions, and the other he placed in the חיל (the space that surrounded the Temple area) (Sifrei Bamidbar 124:1; Mishnah Parah 3:11). That portion given to the priestly divisions was outside the forecourt, so that the inhabitants of the cities and anyone who required to be cleansed might take of it; as for that which was on the Mount of Olives, the High Priests purified themselves by means of it for preparing other “red cows”, whilst that which was in the space surrounding the Temple area was placed there to be kept for all times by special enactment of Scripture, as it is said, “and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel" (cf. Tosefta Parah 3 8).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:9:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:9:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:9:2)

**למי נדה.** לְמֵי הַזָּיָה, כְּמוֹ "וַיַּדּוּ אֶבֶן בִּי" (איכה ג'), "לְיַדּוֹת אֶת קַרְנוֹת הַגּוֹיִם" (זכריה ב'), לְשׁוֹן זְרִיקָה:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
למי נדה FOR WATERS OF נדה — i.e. for waters of sprinkling (or casting); similar are, (Lamentations 3:53) “and they cast (וידו) a stone upon me”; (Zechariah 2:4) “to cast down (לידות) the horns of the nations”, both of which are expressions denoting “casting”.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:9:3
[Rashi on Numbers 19:9:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:9:3)

**חטאת הוא.** לְשׁוֹן חִטּוּי, כִּפְשׁוּטוֹ, וּלְפִי הִלְכוֹתָיו קְרָאָהּ הַכָּתוּב חַטָּאת, לוֹמַר שֶׁהִיא כְּקָדָשִׁים לֵאָסֵר בַּהֲנָאָה (עי' ספרי; מנחות נ"א):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
חטאת הוא IT IS A PURIFICATION FROM SIN — This, according to its literal meaning, is an expression denoting “purification”, but from the point of view of the Halachot to which it is to be subject Scripture terms it a חטאת, “sin-offering”, to state by so doing that it is similar to holy things — that it is prohibited for any other use (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 124:2; Menachot 51b).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:12:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:12:1)

**הוא יתחטא בו.** בָּאֵפֶר הַזֶּה:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
הוא יתחטא בו HE SHALL PURIFY HIMSELF WITH IT — with this ash.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:13:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:13:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:13:1)

**במת בנפש.** וְאֵי זֶה מֵת? שֶׁל נֶפֶשׁ הָאָדָם, לְהוֹצִיא נֶפֶשׁ בְּהֵמָה שֶׁאֵין טֻמְאָתָהּ צְרִיכָה הַזָּאָה; דָּ"אַ, **בנפש** זוֹ רְבִיעִית דָּם (חולין ע"ב):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
במת בנפש [HE WHO TOUCHES] A DEAD BODY OF ANY PERSON — And what dead body is here intended? That of a human being (נפש האדם), the addition of בנפש האדם serving to exclude the person (body) of an animal, so intimating that uncleanness caused by it does not require sprinkling for its removal. Another explanation of בנפש is, that this term refers to a quarter of a log of blood (this being regarded as the minimum quantity necessary for maintaining life in a human being) (Chullin 72a).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:13:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:13:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:13:2)

**את משכן ה' טמא.** אִם נִכְנַס לָעֲזָרָה אֲפִלּוּ בִטְבִילָה בְּלֹא הַזָּאַת שְׁלִישִׁי וּשְׁבִיעִי:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
את משכן ה' הוא טמא HE DEFILES THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD, if he enters the forecourt even though after having immersed himself, but without having been sprinkled on the third and seventh days,


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:13:3
[Rashi on Numbers 19:13:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:13:3)

**עוד טמאתו בו**, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁטָּבַל:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
עוד טמאתו בו HIS UNCLEANNESS IS YET UPON HIM, although he has immersed himself.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:14:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:14:1)

**כל הבא אל האהל.** בְּעוֹד שֶׁהַמֵּת בְּתוֹכוֹ:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
כל הבא אל האהל ALL THAT COMETH INTO THE TENT, whilst the dead body is within it, shall be unclean seven days.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:15:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:15:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:15:1)

**וכל כלי פתוח.** בִּכְלִי חֶרֶס הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר, שֶׁאֵין מְקַבֵּל טֻמְאָה מִגַּבּוֹ אֶלָּא מִתּוֹכוֹ, לְפִיכָךְ אִם אֵין מְגוּפַת צְמִידָתוֹ פְּתוּלָה עָלָיו יָפֶה בְּחִבּוּר, טָמֵא הוּא, הָא אִם יֵשׁ צָמִיד פָּתִיל עָלָיו טָהוֹר (שם כ"ה):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
וכל כלי פתוח AND EVERY OPEN VESSEL — Scripture is speaking of an earthen vessel which is not receptive of uncleanness by an unclean thing touching its exterior but only by it being in its interior (even without contact with the interior walls; cf. Rashi on Leviticus 11:33); therefore if the cover that forms its lid is not well joined to it by a perfect contact, it (the vessel) becomes unclean; but if the lid is joined upon it, it is clean, whilst metal vessels would in any case become unclean, whether they are closed or not, since they are receptive of uncleanness whether an unclean object touches them on their inside or on their outside (Chullin 25a).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:15:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:15:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:15:2)

**פתיל.** לְשׁוֹן מְחֻבָּר בִּלְשׁוֹן עֲרָבִי, וְכֵן (בראשית ל') "נַפְתּוּלֵי אֱלֹהִים נִפְתַּלְתִּי" — נִתְחַבַּרְתִּי עִם אֲחוֹתִי:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
פתיל is an expression denoting “joined” in the Arabic language. Similar is (Genesis 30:8; cf. Rashi thereon), נפתולי אלהים נפתלתי, “By bonds of God I have joined myself (נפתלתי) with my sister."


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:16:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:16:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:16:1)

**על פני השדה.** רַבּוֹתֵינוּ דָרְשׁוּ לְרַבּוֹת גּוֹלֵל וְדוֹפֵק (ספרי; חולין ע"ב). וּפְשׁוּטוֹ — עַל פְּנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה, שֶׁאֵין שָׁם אֹהֶל, מְטַמֵּא הַמֵּת שָׁם בִּנְגִיעָה:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
על פני השדה [AND EVERYTHING WHICH TOUCHES] ON THE OPEN FIELD — Our Rabbis explained that this is intended to include the upper board and the side board of a coffin (which were on the surface of the field — that these, too, render a person unclean) (Chullin 72a). The literal meaning of the words על פני השדה is, however, that even where there is no אהל, covering, there too, the dead body may cause uncleanness, but only by contact with it.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:19:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:19:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:19:1)

**וחטאו ביום השביעי.** הוּא גְמַר טָהֳרָתוֹ (עי' ספרי):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
וחטאו ביום השביעי AND HE SHALL PURIFY HIM ON THE SEVENTH DAY — This is the completion of his purification (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 129:2).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:20:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:20:1)

**ואיש אשר יטמא וגו'.** אִם נֶאֱמַר מִקְדָּשׁ לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר מִשְׁכָּן? כו' כִּדְאִיתָא בִשְׁבוּעוֹת (דף ט"ז):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
ואיש אשר יטמא וגו׳ AND THE MAN THAT IS UNCLEAN [AND DOES NOT PURIFY HIMSELF … HATH DEFILED THE SANCTUARY OF THE LORD] — If the Sanctuary is mentioned why is the Tabernacle also mentioned (in v. 13 “he hath defiled the Tabernacle of the Lord”)? etc., as is set forth in Treatise Shevuot 16b.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:21:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:21:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:21:1)

**ומזה מי הנדה.** רַבּוֹתֵינוּ אָמְרוּ שֶׁהַמַּזֶּה טָהוֹר, וְזֶה בָא לְלַמֵּד שֶׁהַנּוֹשֵׂא מֵי חַטָּאת טָמֵא טֻמְאָה חֲמוּרָה לְטַמֵּא בְגָדִים שֶׁעָלָיו, מַה שֶּׁאֵין כֵּן בַּנּוֹגֵעַ, וְזֶה שֶׁהוֹצִיא בִּלְשׁוֹן "מַזֶּה", לוֹמַר לְךָ שֶׁאֵינָן מְטַמְּאִין עַד שֶׁיְּהֵא בָהֶן שִׁעוּר הַזָּאָה (נדה ט'):

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
ומזה מי הנדה AND HE THAT SPRINKLED THE WATER OF SPRINKLING [SHALL WASH HIS GARMENTS] — Our Rabbis said that the one who sprinkles remains clean, and this statement is intended to intimate that one who bears the waters of purification becomes unclean with a more stringent uncleanness, in that he renders unclean the garments that are upon him (for it states here that he shall wash his garments), which is not so in the case of one who only touches these waters. And this fact that it here expresses it (the idea of “bearing the waters”) by the term “he that sprinkles” is only to tell you that they (the waters) do not render a person who bears them unclean unless they contain a quantity capable of being sprinkled (Yoma 14a).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:21:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:21:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:21:2)

**והנגע, יטמא.** וְאֵין טָעוּן כִּבּוּס בְּגָדִים:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
והנגע…יטמא AND HE THAT TOUCHETH … SHALL BE UNCLEAN, but does not require washing of his garments.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:1
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:1)

**וכל אשר יגע בו הטמא.** הַזֶּה שֶׁנִּטְמָא בְּמֵת, **יטמא**:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
וכל אשר יגע בו הטמא AND WHATSOEVER THE UNCLEAN PERSON TOUCHETH — i.e., this unclean person who has become unclean by reason of a corpse, SHALL TOUCH, יטמא SHALL BECOME UNCLEAN.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:2
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:2)

**והנפש הנגעת** בּוֹ: בִּטְמֵא מֵת:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
והנפש הנגעת AND THE SOUL THAT TOUCHETH him that hath become unclean by reason of a corpse,


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:3
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:3)

**תטמא עד הערב.** כָּאן לָמַדְנוּ שֶׁהַמֵּת אֲבִי אֲבוֹת הַטֻּמְאָה, וְנוֹגֵעַ בּוֹ אַב הַטֻּמְאָה וּמְטַמֵּא אָדָם; זֶה פֵרוּשָׁהּ לְפִי מַשְׁמָעָהּ וְהִלְכוֹתֶיהָ. וּמִ"אַ הֶעְתַּקְתִּי מִיסוֹדוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי מֹשֶׁה הַדַּרְשָׁן וְזֶהוּ:

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
תטמא עד הערב SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN — Here we learn that a corpse is a progenitor of a primary source of uncleanness, and he that touches it becomes a primary source of uncleanness and can render a human being unclean. — This is its explanation (that of the whole chapter) according to what it literally implies and according to the Halachoth connected with it. — A Midrashic explanation I have copied from the work of R. Moses the Preacher, and this is:


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:4
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:4)

**ויקחו אליך.** מִשֶּׁלָּהֶם, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהֵם פֵּרְקוּ נִזְמֵי הַזָּהָב לָעֵגֶל מִשֶּׁלָּהֶם, כָּךְ יָבִיאוּ זוֹ לְכַפָּרָה מִשֶּׁלָּהֶם: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
ויקחו אליך AND THEY SHALL TAKE UNTO THEE — They shall take from that which is their own: just as they divested themselves of their golden earrings for making of the calf — i.e., of that which was their own, so shall they bring this calf-like animal as an atonement from that which is their own.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:5
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:5)

**פרה אדמה.** מָשָׁל לְבֶן שִׁפְחָה שֶׁטִּנֵּף פָּלָטִין שֶׁל מֶלֶךְ, אָמְרוּ תָּבֹא אִמּוֹ וּתְקַנֵּחַ הַצּוֹאָה, כָּךְ תָּבֹא פָרָה וּתְכַפֵּר עַל הָעֵגֶל (תנחומא): [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
פרה אדמה A RED COW — Why this rite was performed with a cow may be exemplified by a parable it may be compared to the case of a handmaid’s child that defiled the king’s palace. They said: Let the mother come and wipe up the excrement. Similarly here: since they became defiled by a calf, let its mother (a cow) come and atone for the calf (cf. Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 8).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:6
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:6)

**אדמה.** עַל שֵׁם "אִם יַאְדִּימוּ כַתּוֹלָע" (ישעיהו א'), שֶׁהַחֵטְא קָרוּי אָדֹם: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אדמה RED — It had to be red in allusion to the idea contained in the text (Isaiah 1:18): “Though they (your sins) be red as scarlet [they shall become as white as snow]” — so you see that sin is termed red.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:7
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:7)

**תמימה.** עַל שֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁהָיוּ תְמִימִים, וְנַעֲשׂוּ בוֹ בַּעֲלֵי מוּמִין, תָּבֹא זוֹ וּתְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיהֶם וְיַחְזְרוּ לְתַמּוּתָם: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
תמימה PERFECT — in allusion to the Israelites who were perfect but through it (the calf) became morally maimed: let this perfect animal come and atone for them so that they may regain their state of perfection.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:8
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:8)

**לא עלה עליה על.** כְּשֵׁם שֶׁפָּרְקוּ מֵעֲלֵיהֶם עֹל שָׁמַיִם: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
לא עלה עליה על [A COW] UPON WHICH NEVER CAME A YOKE — just as they cast off themselves the yoke of Heaven.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:9
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:9)

**אל אלעזר הכהן.** כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנִּקְהֲלוּ עַל אַהֲרֹן, שֶׁהוּא כֹּהֵן, לַעֲשׂוֹת הָעֵגֶל; וּלְפִי שֶׁאַהֲרֹן עָשָׂה אֶת הָעֵגֶל לֹא נִתְּנָה לוֹ עֲבוֹדָה זוֹ עַל יָדוֹ, שֶׁאֵין קַטֵּיגוֹר נַעֲשֶׂה סַנֵּיגוֹר: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
אל אלעזר הכהן TO ELEAZAR THE PRIEST — just as they gathered together against Aaron who was a priest to force him to make the golden calf. But because Aaron had made the calf this rite was not entrusted to him that it should be carried out by him, because the prosecuting counsel cannot become the defending counsel (Rosh Hashanah 26a; cf. Rashi on Leviticus 16:4; Aaron who had caused the sin was not a fitting person to atone for it: therefore the rite had to be performed by another priest, viz., by Eleazar).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:10
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:10)

**ושרף את הפרה.** כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנִּשְׂרַף הָעֵגֶל: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
ושרף את הפרה AND ONE SHALL BURN THE COW, just as the calf was burnt (Exodus 32:20).


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:11
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:11)

**עץ ארז ואזוב ושני תולעת.** שְׁלֹשָׁה מִינִין הַלָּלוּ כְּנֶגֶד שְׁלֹשֶׁת אַלְפֵי אִישׁ שֶׁנָּפְלוּ בָעֵגֶל, וְאֶרֶז הוּא הַגָּבוֹהַּ מִכָּל הָאִילָנוֹת וְאֵזוֹב נָמוּךְ מִכֻּלָּם, סִימָן שֶׁהַגָּבוֹהַּ שֶׁנִּתְגָּאָה וְחָטָא יַשְׁפִּיל אֶת עַצְמוֹ כְּאֵזוֹב וְתוֹלַעַת וְיִתְכַּפֵּר לוֹ: [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
עץ ארז ואזוב ושני תולעת CEDAR WOOD AND HYSSOP AND CRIMSON — These three species correspond to the three thousand men who fell by the edge of the sword on account of the golden calf. The cedar is the loftiest of all trees and the hyssop the lowliest of all — a symbol that the man of high position who displays pride and on that account falls into sin should make himself as lowly as the hyssop and the worm (תולעת), and he will then gain atonement.


###### Rashi on Numbers 19:22:12
[Rashi on Numbers 19:22:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Numbers/r/19:22:12)

**למשמרת.** כְּמוֹ שֶׁפֶּשַׁע הָעֵגֶל שָׁמוּר לְדוֹרוֹת לְפֻרְעָנוּת, וְאֵין לְךָ פְּקֻדָּה שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ מִפְּקֻדַּת הָעֵגֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבְיוֹם פָּקְדִי וּפָקַדְתִּי" וְגוֹ' (שמות ל"ב), וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁהָעֵגֶל מְטַמֵּא כָּל הָעוֹסְקִים בּוֹ, כָּךְ פָּרָה תְטַמֵּא כָּל הָעוֹסְקִין בּוֹ, וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁנִּטְהֲרוּ בְּאֶפְרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וַיִּזֶר עַל פְּנֵי הַמַּיִם" וְגוֹ' (שם), כָּךְ "וְלָקְחוּ לַטָּמֵא מֵעֲפַר שְׂרֵפַת הַחַטָּאת" וְגוֹ": [רש"י בשם ר' משה הדרשן]

**Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934:**
למשמרת [IT SHALL BE] KEPT [FOR THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL], just as the transgression of the calf is kept in remembrance for all future generations for punishment, for there is no visitation of Israel in which there is not something of the visitation of the sin caused by the calf, as it is said, (Exodus 32:34) “On the day when I visit I will visit [their sin upon them]” (cf. Rashi on that verse, and Sanhedrin 102a; Yerushalmi Taanit 14). And just as the calf rendered unclean everyone who busied himself with it (cf. Avodah Zarah 32b), so, too, does the cow make unclean all who busy themselves with it. And just as they (Israel) were purified by its dust (Exodus 22:20), similarly it states, (v. 17) “And for an unclean person shall they take of the dust of the burnt cow of purification, etc.”