Daily Chumash Matos – Maaseiy Monday – Laws of Kashering

Shelishi 

• Moshe is enraged that the females survived: Moshe, Elazar and the tribal leaders came to greet the soldiers outside of the camp. Moshe became enraged at the officers and generals for allowing the women to live, despite them being the ones who caused the plague to fall upon Bnei Yisrael when they seduced them according to the advice of Balaam.
• Killing the captives: Moshe commanded them to kill all male children and all the women who have reached age of marriage. The remaining females were taken as captives.

2. The laws of Tumas Meis
   • Moshe told the soldiers who returned from battle that all those who killed someone or touched a corpse are required to stay outside the camp for seven days and be sprinkled with the red heifer water on the 3^rd and 7^th Likewise, all the vessels that touched the impure must be purified with the Mei Niddah.

3. Laws of Kashering:

• Elazar the son of Aaron told Bnei Yisrael that all the metal vessels of gold, silver, copper, iron, tin and lead, that they took from the Midianites, need Kashering. Those vessels that are used with fire must be purified with fire and Mei Niddah. Those vessels used with water are to be purified with water.
• On the 7^th day, the clothing is to be washed and purified and one can then enter the camp.

4. The spoils are distributed:
   • Hashem told Moshe to count all of the captives and animals and then divide the spoils amongst the soldiers and the rest of the Jewish people.
   • The taxes: The soldiers are to give a tax to Elazar the Kohen which consists of 1:500 of every human and animal captured. Bnei Yisrael are to give a tax to the Levites which consists of 1:50 of every human and animal captured.
   • Moshe and Elazar did as Hashem asked.
   • The final amount of distribution of the spoils and taxes: The following was the count of the spoils: 675,000 sheep; 72,000 cattle; 61,000 donkeys; 32,000 women below the age of marriage. The soldiers received 337,500 sheep; 36,000 cattle; 30,500 donkeys; 16,000 women. Hashem’s tax from the soldier’s spoils was: 675 sheep; 72 cattle; 61 donkeys; 32 women.

• The Jewish people received 337,500 sheep; 36,000 cattle; 30,500 donkeys; 16,000 women.
• Moshe gave the tax from Bnei Yisrael’s spoils to the Levites.
• The commanders give a donation: The commanders of the soldiers approached Moshe and told him that no soldier was killed in the war and they therefore have brought Moshe a present of gold vessels for atonement. The present consisted of gold vessels, anklets and bracelets, earrings, and Kumaz. Moshe took the vessels and gave them to Elazar Hakohen to place in the Ohel Moed as a remembrance.