יחזקאל, פרק מ״ד, פסוק כ״ו

A priest's return to sacred duties after coming into contact with a dead body is a carefully guarded process. Moving from a state of impurity back into the holy service is never immediate; it requires strict separation, deliberate waiting, and careful oversight.

The primary approach among commentators is that the required counting begins the moment the priest steps away from the deceased. Rather than waiting until the purification process is completely finished, the count starts as soon as the process itself begins. These are the standard seven days of purification outlined in the Torah [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד״ק]. Interestingly, the responsibility to track these days does not rest solely on the impure priest. His fellow priests actively count the days for him. By doing so, they supervise his progress, ensure they keep a safe distance during his period of impurity, and act as a safeguard. If he happens to lose track of time, their oversight prevents him from accidentally entering the Temple before he is completely pure [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

Conversely, another approach views this counting as an entirely new standard of holiness reserved for the future era of the Third Temple. According to this perspective, the seven days are actually an additional waiting period that only begins after the priest has entirely finished his standard purification [רד״ק]. This extra week serves as a protective boundary, ensuring that priests do not rush hastily back into the Temple the moment they become pure [מלבי״ם].

The need for this additional preparation is tied to the heightened holiness of the future era, when the Divine Presence will fill the entire Temple courtyard. Anyone stepping into the presence of God will require seven days of separation and spiritual readiness, even if they are already completely pure [אהבת יהונתן]. Furthermore, these extra days act as a preparation period for a special inaugural grain offering, marking a renewed dedication to the Temple service. Just as priests who returned to serve in the Second Temple were required to bring a new inaugural offering, the priests who will awaken during the Resurrection of the Dead will also need to present this offering on the day they resume their sacred duties in the Third Temple [מלבי״ם].