MH page 279

The necessity of personal cleanliness was taught in the most impressive manner. Before gathering at Mount Sinai to listen to the proclamation of the law by the voice of God, the people were required to wash both their persons and their clothing. This direction was enforced on pain of death. No impurity was to be tolerated in the presence of God.

Personal cleanliness and purification of persons and clothing were required before approaching sacred assemblies. Describes a specific religious and historical event emphasizing ritual purity before God.

During the sojourn in the wilderness the Israelites were almost continually in the open air, where impurities would have a less harmful effect than upon the dwellers in close houses. But the strictest regard to cleanliness was required both within and without their tents. No refuse was allowed to remain within or about the encampment. The Lord said:

Open-air living and strict rules against leaving refuse within the encampment maintained campsite sanitation. Describes historical wilderness sanitation practices of the Israelites.