This is the statute of the Torah that the Lord has commanded, saying: Speak to the children of Yisrael, and they shall take to you a red heifer, perfect, in which there is no blemish, and upon which a yoke has not been laid.
Torah Temimah: Sifrei — “Veyikchu” – from the funds of the chamber; “eilecha” – that you should be the treasurer for the matter.
English: “And they shall take” – from the funds of the chamber; “to you” – that you should be the treasurer for the matter.
Derash on the verbs of acquisition and address.
The red heifer is purchased from communal Temple funds (terumas ha-lishkah), and Moshe is appointed the responsible treasurer for the process.