ספר במדבר - פרשת מטות - לא:מב-נד - חמישי

"And from the half belonging to Bnei Yisrael, which Moshe separated from the men who went out to war." (42) From the half belonging to Bnei Yisrael, which Moshe separated—for the congregation, and he took it from "the men who went out to war."

"And the congregation's half was: from the flock, three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred." (43) And so was the congregation's half: such and such.

And cattle: thirty-six thousand.

And donkeys: thirty thousand five hundred.

And human beings: sixteen thousand.

"Moshe took from the half belonging to Bnei Yisrael one out of every fifty, from man and beast, and gave them to the Levites, guardians of Hashem's Mishkan, as Hashem commanded Moshe." (47) And Moshe took, etc.

"The officers who were over thousands of the army approached Moshe—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds." (48) The officers—those appointed over them.

"They said to Moshe: Your servants have taken a census of the men of war under our command, and not a man is missing from us." (49) Not a man is missing—none are lacking. The Targum translates "and none are missing." This too in Aramaic means lacking. As in (Bereishit 31:39), "I bore its loss," Targum: "that was missing from their count." Similarly (I Shmuel 20), "when your seat is vacant," meaning your place is lacking. Also (ibid.), "David's place was vacant," his place was lacking and no one sat there.

"We have brought Hashem's offering, each man who found gold articles—anklet, bracelet, ring, earring, or belt—to atone for our souls before Hashem." (50) Anklet—these are ankle bracelets; bracelet—for the hand; ring—earrings; belt—a form for a woman's womb. To atone for thoughts of heart regarding the daughters of Midian.

"Moshe and Elazar HaKohen took all this gold from them—all crafted articles."

"All the gold that was offered up as a gift to Hashem came to sixteen thousand seven hundred fifty shekels—from commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds."

The men of war had each taken spoil for themselves.

"Moshe and Elazar HaKohen took this gold from the commanders of thousands and hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a remembrance for Bnei Yisrael before Hashem."

Summary

This passage teaches about gratitude for Divine protection in battle, communal responsibility in dividing resources, and using offerings as a means for spiritual atonement. It highlights how material gains are sanctified through giving back to G-d.