יחזקאל, פרק ל״ט, פסוק י״ב

The aftermath of the great battle against the massive forces of Gog and Magog leaves the land covered with countless casualties. This grim reality sets the stage for an unprecedented cleanup effort to restore the land to its proper condition. According to the laws given by God, leaving bodies unburied brings impurity to the earth. This principle was acted upon historically when Joshua buried five defeated kings specifically to prevent such defilement [רד״ק]. Following this precedent, the massive burial operation is driven by the need to cleanse the earth from the impurity of the dead [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

There are differing perspectives on the underlying motives and the public perception of this act. One approach views the effort strictly as a practical and religious obligation to purify the land, rather than an act of honor toward the fallen enemies [מצודת דוד]. However, another perspective highlights that in the eyes of the surrounding nations, taking the time and effort to bury bitter enemies is seen as a profound act of kindness and final respect. Through this massive undertaking, the Israelites earn a noble reputation and a good name across the world [צאינה וראינה].

The sheer scale of the cleanup is staggering. Commentators agree that the extraordinary duration of seven months required to complete the burials is a direct result of the immense number of the dead. It demands a long, continuous effort to gather and properly bury every fallen soldier.