Deuteronomy 23:14 - Holiness in hidden places

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Hebrew Text

וְיָתֵד תִּהְיֶה לְךָ עַל־אֲזֵנֶךָ וְהָיָה בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ חוּץ וְחָפַרְתָּה בָהּ וְשַׁבְתָּ וְכִסִּיתָ אֶת־צֵאָתֶךָ׃

English Translation

and thou shalt have a spade among thy weapons, and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself outside, thou shalt dig with it, and shalt turn back and cover thy excrement:

Transliteration

Veyated tihyeh lecha al-azenecha vehayah beshivtecha chutz vechafarta bah veshavta vechisita et-tzeatecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְיָתֵ֛ד תִּהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ עַל־אֲזֵנֶ֑ךָ וְהָיָה֙ בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֣ ח֔וּץ וְחָפַרְתָּ֣ה בָ֔הּ וְשַׁבְתָּ֖ וְכִסִּ֥יתָ אֶת־צֵאָתֶֽךָ׃

Parasha Commentary

The Mitzvah of Covering Excrement

The verse (Devarim 23:14) commands soldiers to carry a digging tool to cover their excrement when relieving themselves outside the camp. This mitzvah teaches fundamental principles of human dignity and kedushah (holiness) in the Israelite camp.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that this mitzvah serves two purposes:

To maintain cleanliness and prevent offensive odors in the camp
Because "Hashem your God walks in the midst of your camp" - the Divine Presence dwells among Israel, requiring special standards of decency

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Melachim 6:15), Rambam codifies this as a general obligation for all Jews when relieving themselves in open areas, not just for soldiers. He emphasizes that this demonstrates respect for human dignity and prevents others from encountering waste.

Talmudic Insights (Berachos 62a)

The Talmud derives from this verse that one should:

Relieve oneself in a private place whenever possible
Cover waste to avoid creating a repulsive environment
Maintain modesty even in necessary bodily functions

Midrashic Interpretation (Sifrei Devarim)

The Midrash connects this mitzvah to the broader concept that physical actions impact spiritual reality. Just as we cover waste to maintain physical cleanliness, we must also "cover" and refine our spiritual impurities through teshuvah.

Contemporary Halachic Application

Modern poskim apply these principles to:

Proper bathroom etiquette and hygiene
Environmental responsibility in waste disposal
Maintaining dignity in all human activities

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 62a

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper conduct and modesty when relieving oneself, emphasizing the importance of covering excrement as commanded in the Torah.

📖 Kiddushin 30b

The verse is cited in a broader discussion about the mitzvot (commandments) and their details, illustrating how specific commandments are to be observed in daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 23:14 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 23:14 instructs Jewish people to maintain cleanliness and dignity by properly burying human waste when outside the camp. This teaches the importance of hygiene and respect for communal living spaces, as explained by Rashi and other Torah commentators.

Q: Why is covering excrement important in Judaism?
A: Covering excrement is important in Judaism because it maintains cleanliness (taharah), shows respect for others, and follows G-d's command. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 4:1) explains that this mitzvah promotes health and prevents offensive conditions in public spaces.

Q: How does Deuteronomy 23:14 apply today?
A: Today, this verse teaches us about personal hygiene and environmental responsibility. The Talmud (Berachot 62a) derives from this that we must be mindful of cleanliness in all places. Modern applications include proper sanitation practices and respecting public spaces.

Q: What can we learn from the 'spade' mentioned in this verse?
A: The spade teaches preparedness and responsibility. Rashi explains that just as we must be ready to fulfill physical needs properly, we must also be spiritually prepared to fulfill mitzvot. This idea extends to being mindful of our actions' impact on others.

Q: Why does the Torah give such detailed instructions about hygiene?
A: The Torah provides detailed hygiene laws because physical cleanliness is connected to spiritual purity. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) teaches that G-d's presence dwells among the Jewish people, so we must maintain cleanliness as we would in a holy place. This reflects Judaism's holistic view of sanctity in daily life.