What is the meaning of "Azenecha"?
Rashi and Rashbam, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: With reference to a soldier it means 'besides your weapons'..
Kesuvos 5a: We read "Azenecha" like 'Oznecha' (your ears), to teach us to stick one's finger in one's ear if he hears something improper 1 (such as Lashon ha'Ra
See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
Refer also to Bamidbar 26:16:1:2.
Oznayim la'Torah: It is most appropriate, for the Torah, after warning against speaking improper speech, to add a warning against hearing it.
Which the Torah is comparing to covering excrement!
How will we reconcile Pasuk 13, which does not mention covering, with the current Pasuk, which does?
Berachos, 58a: Whereas the current Pasuk is speaking about Gedolim (defacating), Pasuk 13 is speaking about Ketanim (urinating), which does not need to be covered - since it is absorbed in the ground. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah, DH 've'Yased' #1.
Since excrement is not Tamei, why does it need to be covered?
Ramban #1 (on Pasuk 11): Refer to 23:11:2:2*.
Ramban #2: Because one is forbidden to see it wilst one Davens and whilst one's mind is focused on Hashem, since seeing things that are disgusting disrupts one's concentration and tarnishes the Soul. 1
And because it is not Kavod Shamayim to see things that are disgusting whilst Davening to Hashem or whilst reciting Berachos.
Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "Veshavta Vechisisa es Tze'asecha'?
Oznayim la'Torah #1 (based on the Rambam, Hilchos Melachiom, 6:9): To teach us that it is not sufficent to defacate on the ground and to dig earth and cover it, but to dig a hole into which one defacates and to dig (again) earth with which to fill the hole.
Oznayim la'Torah #2: It hints at Shabbos, when digging a hole in the field it is Asur mi'd'Oraysa, and one needs to return and cover the excrement after Shabos. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Vechafarta bah ... '.
What is a Yased?
Targum Onkelos: It is a spade (or a peg).
Rosh: It is a conviction as strong as a peg, that when you are orderred to serve idolatry, you will refuse. "ve'Shavta ve'Chisicha es Tze'asecha"
When does this Mitzvah apply?
Sifsei Chachamim (in Pasuk 13, commenting on Rashi): It only applied before Aharon died, since "mi'Chutz la'Machaneh" refers to outside the cloud, and the cloud departed after Aharon died. 1 And the Pesukim are written in the wrong order (since the Mitzvah is written after it no longer applied).
Sefer ha'Mitzvos (Asei 192 & 193), SeMaG (Asei 119): The Mitzvos (SeMaG
This is astounding, since the Cloud returned in the merit of Moshe (Ta'anis 9a)! And it says that after Moshe died, the cloud departed permanently, yet all those who count the Mitzvos count this as a Mitzvah for all generations! (PF)
Also Rashi implies that it is in a camp that goes to war, for he explained "Azenecha", e.g. your weapons. However, one could say otherwise (refer to 23:14:151:4). (PF)
Rashi there discussed only "Vehayah Machanecha Kadosh". Charedim assumes that the same applies to the Mitzvos of Yad and Yased, for they were written together. However, others disagree (refer to 23:15:2:2:3 & 5). (PF).
In connection with the food that they purchased from Nochri merchants - since the Manna was absorbed in their limbs and was not subject to defacation. See Oznayim la'Torah, DH 'Vechisisa es Tze'asecha'.
