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Bamidbar 11

11:30

וַיֵּאָסֵף מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶה הוּא וְזִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

Moshe entered into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

Moshe entered into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

Rashi

ויאסף משה. מִפֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד:

Moshe entered From the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

אל המחנה. נִכְנְסוּ אִישׁ לְאָהֳלוֹ:

Into the camp. Everyone entered his [own] tent.

ויאסף. לְשׁוֹן כְּנִיסָה אֶל הַבַּיִת, כְּמוֹ "וַאֲסַפְתּוֹ אֶל תּוֹךְ בֵּיתֶךָ" (דברים כב, ב), וְאָב לְכֻלָּם "יִצְבֹּר וְלֹא יֵדַע מִי אֹסְפָם" (תהלים לט, ז), מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹא הֵבִיא עֲלֵיהֶם פֻּרְעָנוּת עַד שֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים אִישׁ לְאָהֳלוֹ (ספרי):

Entered. The connotation is to enter a house, as in, “Bring it into your house.” The source for this general connotation is, “He gathers, but does not know who will bring it in.” This teaches that he did not visit punishment upon them until each of the righteous had entered his tent.

11:31

וְרוּחַ נָסַע ׀ מֵאֵת יְהֹוָה וַיָּגׇז שַׂלְוִים מִן־הַיָּם וַיִּטֹּשׁ עַל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶה כְּדֶרֶךְ יוֹם כֹּה וּכְדֶרֶךְ יוֹם כֹּה סְבִיבוֹת הַֽמַּחֲנֶה וּכְאַמָּתַיִם עַל־פְּנֵי הָאָֽרֶץ׃

From Adonoy there gusted a wind and He caused quail to fly from the sea and spread them over the camp, about a day’s journey from this side and about a day’s journey from that side, around the camp, and about two amo¯s above the ground’s surface.

From Adonoy there gusted a wind and He caused quail to fly from the sea and spread them over the camp, about a day’s journey from this side and about a day’s journey from that side, around the camp, and about two amo¯s above the ground’s surface.

Rashi

ויגז. וַיַּפְרִיחַ, וְכֵן "כִּי גָז חִישׁ" (תהילים צ'), וְכֵן "נָגוֹזּוּ וְעָבָר" (נחום א'):

And He caused to fly. Caused to fly. Similarly, “for it flies by quickly,” Also, “they flew by and passed through.”

ויטש. וַיַּפְשֵׁט, כְּמוֹ "וְהִנֵּה נְטֻשִׁים עַל פְּנֵי כָל הָאָרֶץ" (שמואל א ל'), "וּנְטַשְׁתִּיךָ הַמִּדְבָּרָה" (יחזקאל כ"ט):

And spread them. It spread, as in, “Behold, they are spread over the face of all the land,” “I will spread you into the wilderness.”

וכאמתים. פּוֹרְחוֹת בַּגֹּבַהּ, עַד שֶׁהֵן כְּנֶגֶד לִבּוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא טוֹרֵחַ בַּאֲסִיפָתָן לֹא לְהַגְבִּיהַּ וְלֹא לִשְׁחוֹת (ספרי):

About two amos. They flew to a height which corresponded with a person’s heart, so that it would not be tedious to gather them, neither to rise nor to bend.

11:32

וַיָּקׇם הָעָם כׇּל־הַיּוֹם הַהוּא וְכׇל־הַלַּיְלָה וְכֹל ׀ יוֹם הַֽמׇּחֳרָת וַיַּֽאַסְפוּ אֶת־הַשְּׂלָו הַמַּמְעִיט אָסַף עֲשָׂרָה חֳמָרִים וַיִּשְׁטְחוּ לָהֶם שָׁטוֹחַ סְבִיבוֹת הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

The people arose all of that day, the entire night and the entire next day, and they gathered the quail. He who gathered the least amount, gathered ten heaps and they spread them for themselves around the camp.

The people arose all of that day, the entire night and the entire next day, and they gathered the quail. He who gathered the least amount, gathered ten heaps and they spread them for themselves around the camp.

Rashi

הממעיט. מִי שֶׁאוֹסֵף פָּחוֹת מִכֻּלָּם, הָעֲצֵלִים וְהַחִגְּרִים, אסף עשרה חמרים (שם):

He who gathered the least. The one who gathered least of all — the lazy and the lame — gathered ten heaps.

וישטחו. עָשׂוּ אוֹתָן מַשְׁטִיחִין מַשְׁטִיחִין (שם):

They spread them. They spread them into numerous piles.

11:33

הַבָּשָׂר עוֹדֶנּוּ בֵּין שִׁנֵּיהֶם טֶרֶם יִכָּרֵת וְאַף יְהֹוָה חָרָה בָעָם וַיַּךְ יְהֹוָה בָּעָם מַכָּה רַבָּה מְאֹֽד׃

The meat was still between their teeth before it was [even] finished, when the wrath of Adonoy was incited upon the people, and Adonoy smote the people an enormous blow.

The meat was still between their teeth before it was [even] finished, when the wrath of Adonoy was incited upon the people, and Adonoy smote the people an enormous blow.

Rashi

טרם יכרת. כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ "עַד לָא פְסַק"; דָּ"אַ, אֵינוֹ מַסְפִּיק לְפָסְקוֹ בְּשִׁנָּיו עַד שֶׁנִּשְׁמָתוֹ יוֹצְאָה:

Before it was finished. As Targum [Onkelos] renders, עַד לָא פְסַק, (before it was finished). Another interpretation: There was no opportunity to cut it with his teeth, when he expired.

11:34

וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שֵֽׁם־הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא קִבְרוֹת הַֽתַּאֲוָה כִּי־שָׁם קָֽבְרוּ אֶת־הָעָם הַמִּתְאַוִּֽים׃

He called the name of that place Kivros Hataavoh, for it was there that they buried the people who had these cravings.

He called the name of that place Kivros Hataavoh, for it was there that they buried the people who had these cravings.

11:35

מִקִּבְרוֹת הַֽתַּאֲוָה נָסְעוּ הָעָם חֲצֵרוֹת וַיִּהְיוּ בַּחֲצֵרֽוֹת׃ {פ}

From Kivros Hataavoh the people journeyed to Chatzeiros, and they stayed in Chatzeiros.

From Kivros Hataavoh the people journeyed to Chatzeiros, and they stayed in Chatzeiros.

Bamidbar 12

12:1

וַתְּדַבֵּר מִרְיָם וְאַהֲרֹן בְּמֹשֶׁה עַל־אֹדוֹת הָאִשָּׁה הַכֻּשִׁית אֲשֶׁר לָקָח כִּֽי־אִשָּׁה כֻשִׁית לָקָֽח׃

Miriam and Aharon spoke about Moshe concerning the Cushite woman that he married, for, he married a Cushite woman.

Miriam and Aharon spoke about Moshe concerning the Cushite woman that he married, for, he married a Cushite woman.

Rashi

ותדבר. אֵין דִּבּוּר בְּכָל מָקוֹם אֶלָּא לָשׁוֹן קָשָׁה, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר "דִּבֶּר הָאִישׁ אֲדֹנֵי הָאָרֶץ אִתָּנוּ קָשׁוֹת" (בראשית מ"ב), וְאֵין אֲמִירָה בְּכָל מָקוֹם אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן תַּחֲנוּנִים, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר "וַיֹּאמַר אַל נָא אַחַי תָּרֵעוּ" (בראשית י"ט), "וַיֹּאמֶר שִׁמְעוּ נָא דְבָרָי" (פסוק ו), כָּל נָא לְשׁוֹן בַּקָּשָׁה (ספרי):

[Miriam] spoke. דִּבּוּר always connotes harshness, as it says, “The man who rules the land spoke harshly with us.” But אֲמִירָה always connotes pleading, as it says, “He said, please, my brothers, do not be wicked,” “He said, please hear my words.” נָא always connotes a request.

ותדבר מרים ואהרן. הִיא פָתְחָה בְדִּבּוּר תְּחִלָּה, לְפִיכָךְ הִקְדִּימָהּ הַכָּתוּב, וּמִנַּיִן הָיְתָה יוֹדַעַת מִרְיָם שֶׁפֵּרֵשׁ מֹשֶׁה מִן הָאִשָּׁה? רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר מִרְיָם הָיְתָה בְצַד צִפּוֹרָה בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לְמֹשֶׁה אֶלְדָּד וּמֵידָד מִתְנַבְּאִים בַּמַּחֲנֶה, כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמְעָה צִפּוֹרָה, אָמְרָה אוֹי לְנְשׁוֹתֵיהֶן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ אִם הֵם נִזְקָקִים לִנְבוּאָה, שֶׁיִּהְיוּ פוֹרְשִׁין מִנְּשׁוֹתֵיהֶן כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁפֵּרֵשׁ בַּעְלִי מִמֶּנִּי, וּמִשָּׁם יָדְעָה מִרְיָם וְהִגִּידָה לְאַהֲרֹן; וּמַה מִּרְיָם שֶׁלֹּא נִתְכַּוְּנָה לִגְנוּתוֹ כָּךְ נֶעֶנְשָׁה, קַל וָחֹמֶר לִמְסַפֵּר בִּגְנוּתוֹ שֶׁל חֲבֵרוֹ (ספרי):

Miriam and Aharon spoke. She opened the discussion first, so Scripture gives her precedence. How did Miriam know that Moshe separated from his wife? R’ Noson says: Miriam was at Tziporah’s side when Moshe was told that Eldad and Meidad were prophesying in the camp. When Tziporah heard, she said, ‘Woe to their wives if they become attached to prophecy, because they will separate from their wives the way my husband separated from me.’ Miriam knew from there, and she told Aharon. Now if Miriam, who did not intend to slander him, was punished this way, certainly someone who relates slander about his fellow.

האשה הכשית. מַגִּיד שֶׁהַכֹּל מוֹדִים בְּיָפְיָהּ כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהַכֹּל מוֹדִים בְּשַׁחֲרוּתוֹ שֶׁל כּוּשִׁי (שם):

The Cushite woman. This teaches that everyone agreed to her beauty, just as everyone agrees to the blackness of the Cushite.

כושית. בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא יְפַת מַרְאֶה:

Cushite. [כּוּשִׁית is] numerically equivalent to יְפַת מַרְאֶה, (“beautiful in appearance.”)

על אדות האשה. עַל אוֹדוֹת גֵּרוּשֶׁיהָ:

Concerning the woman. Concerning her divorce.

כי אשה כשית לקח. מַה תַּ"ל? אֶלָּא יֵשׁ לְךְ אִשָּׁה נָאָה בְּיָפְיָהּ וְאֵין נָאָה בְמַעֲשֶׂיהָ, בְּמַעֲשֶׂיהָ וְלֹא בְיָפְיָהּ, אֲבָל זֹאת נָאָה בַכֹּל:

For, he married a Cushite woman. What does the Torah teach? You find a woman beautiful in appearance but not beautiful in deed; in deed, but not in appearance. But this one was beautiful in everything.

האשה הכשית. עַל שֵׁם נוֹיָהּ נִקְרֵאת כּוּשִׁית, כְּאָדָם הַקּוֹרֵא אֶת בְּנוֹ נָאֶה כּוּשִׁי, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּשְׁלֹט בּוֹ עַיִן רָעָה:

The Cushite woman. Because of her beauty, she was called “Cushite,” like a man who calls his attractive son “Cushite” to ward off the power of the evil eye over him.

כי אשה כשית לקח. וְעַתָּה גֵּרְשָׁהּ:

For, he married a Cushite woman. And now divorced her.

12:2

וַיֹּאמְרוּ הֲרַק אַךְ־בְּמֹשֶׁה דִּבֶּר יְהֹוָה הֲלֹא גַּם־בָּנוּ דִבֵּר וַיִּשְׁמַע יְהֹוָֽה׃

They said: “Is it only to Moshe that Adonoy has spoken? Did He not also speak with us?” and Adonoy heard.

They said: “Is it only to Moshe that Adonoy has spoken? Did He not also speak with us?” and Adonoy heard.

Rashi

הרק אך. עִמּוֹ לְבַדּוֹ דִּבֶּר ה':

Is it only. With him alone that God spoke.

הלא גם בנו. וְלֹא פֵרַשְׁנוּ מִדֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ (ספרי):

Did He not also [speak] with us. Yet we did not abstain from marital relations.

12:3

וְהָאִישׁ מֹשֶׁה עָנָו מְאֹד מִכֹּל הָֽאָדָם אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ {ס}        

The man, Moshe [was] most humble, more so than any other person on the face of the earth.

The man, Moshe [was] most humble, more so than any other person on the face of the earth.

Rashi

ענו. שָׁפָל וְסַבְלָן:

Humble. Bent low and forbearing.

12:4

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה פִּתְאֹם אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל־מִרְיָם צְאוּ שְׁלׇשְׁתְּכֶם אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וַיֵּצְאוּ שְׁלׇשְׁתָּֽם׃

Adonoy said, suddenly, to Moshe, Aharon and Miriam: “Come out, all three of you, to the Tent of Meeting,” and the three of them went out.

Adonoy said, suddenly, to Moshe, Aharon and Miriam: “Come out, all three of you, to the Tent of Meeting,” and the three of them went out.

Rashi

פתאם. נִגְלָה עֲלֵיהֶם פִּתְאֹם וְהֵם טְמֵאִין בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶרֶץ, וְהָיוּ צוֹעֲקִים "מַיִם מַיִם" לְהוֹדִיעָם שֶׁיָּפֶה עָשָׂה מֹשֶׁה שֶׁפֵּרֵשׁ מִן הָאִשָּׁה, מֵאַחַר שֶׁנִּגְלֵית עָלָיו שְׁכִינָה תָּדִיר וְאֵין עֵת קְבוּעָה לַדִּבּוּר (עי' ילקוט):

Suddenly. He revealed Himself to them suddenly, when they were ritually unclean because of marital relations, and they cried, ”Water! Water!” To inform them that Moshe acted properly in separating from his wife, since the Divine Presence revealed Itself to him constantly, with no designated time for the Word.

צאו שלשתכם. מַגִּיד שֶׁשְּׁלָשְׁתָּן נִקְרְאוּ בְדִבּוּר אֶחָד מַה שֶּׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לַפֶּה לוֹמַר וְלָאֹזֶן לִשְׁמֹעַ (ספרי):

Come out, all three of you. This teaches that all three were summoned with a single word, which is impossible for the mouth to say and the ear to hear.

12:5

וַיֵּרֶד יְהֹוָה בְּעַמּוּד עָנָן וַֽיַּעֲמֹד פֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וַיִּקְרָא אַהֲרֹן וּמִרְיָם וַיֵּצְאוּ שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃

Adonoy descended in a pillar of cloud and He stood at the entrance of the Tent, and He called [to] Aharon and Miriam, and both of them went out.

Adonoy descended in a pillar of cloud and He stood at the entrance of the Tent, and He called [to] Aharon and Miriam, and both of them went out.

Rashi

בעמוד ענן. יָצָא יְחִידִי שֶׁלֹּא כְמִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, מֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם כְּשֶׁיּוֹצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה יוֹצֵא בְּאֻכְלוּסִים וּכְשֶׁיּוֹצֵא לְשָׁלוֹם יוֹצֵא בְמוּעָטִין, וּמִדַּת הַקָּבָּ"ה יוֹצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה יְחִידִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה" (שמות ט"ו), וְיוֹצֵא לְשָׁלוֹם בְּאֻכְלוּסִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהילים ס"ח) "רֶכֶב אֱלֹהִים רִבֹּתַיִם אַלְפֵי שִׁנְאָן" (ספרי):

In a pillar of cloud. He went alone, unlike the custom of mortals. When a mortal king goes to war, he goes out with a large retinue, when he goes in peace, he goes with only a few. But the custom of the Holy One, Blessed is He, is to go to war alone, as it is said, “[God is] a warrior,” and goes in peace with a large retinue, as is said, “God rides with twenty two thousand angels.”

ויקרא אהרן ומרים. שֶׁיִּהְיוּ נִמְשָׁכִין וְיוֹצְאִין מִן הֶחָצֵר לִקְרַאת הַדִּבּוּר:

He called [to] Aharon and Miriam. So that they would be drawn away and leave the courtyard towards the Word.

ויצאו שניהם. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה מְשָׁכָן וְהִפְרִישָן מִמֹּשֶׁה? לְפִי שֶׁאוֹמְרִים מִקְצָת שִׁבְחוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם בְּפָנָיו וְכֻלּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו, וְכֵן מָצִינוּ בְּנֹחַ, שֶׁלֹא בְּפָנָיו נֶאֱמַר "אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים" (בראשית ו'), וּבְפָנָיו נֶאֱמַר "כִּי אֹתְךָ רָאִיתִי צַדִּיק לְפָנַי" (שם ז'); דָּ"אַ, שֶׁלֹּא יִשְׁמַע בִּנְזִיפָתוֹ שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן (ספרי):

Both of them went out. Why did He draw them away and separate them from Moshe? Because we recite some of a person’s qualities in his presence, and all of them when he is not present. We find this about Noach. When he was not present it is said, “A righteous man, flawless,” but in his presence it is said, “For I have seen that you are righteous before Me.” Another interpretation: So that he should not hear Aharon’s rebuke.

12:6

וַיֹּאמֶר שִׁמְעוּ־נָא דְבָרָי אִם־יִֽהְיֶה נְבִיאֲכֶם יְהֹוָה בַּמַּרְאָה אֵלָיו אֶתְוַדָּע בַּחֲלוֹם אֲדַבֶּר־בּֽוֹ׃

He said: “Please listen to My words. If there will be a prophet among you, [I,] Adonoy, will make Myself known to him in a vision; in a dream I will speak to him.

He said: “Please listen to My words. If there will be a prophet among you, [I,] Adonoy, will make Myself known to him in a vision; in a dream I will speak to him.

Rashi

שמעו נא דברי. אֵין נָא אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן בַּקָּשָׁה (שם):

Please listen to my words. נָא is interpreted strictly as a request.

אם יהיה נביאכם. אִם יִהְיוּ לָכֶם נְבִיאִים:

If there will be your prophet. If you will have prophets.

ה' במראה אליו אתודע. שְׁכִינַת שְׁמִי אֵין נִגְלֵית עָלָיו בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה אֶלָּא בַּחֲלוֹם וְחִזָּיוֹן:

[I,] Adonoy will make Myself known to him in a vision. The Divine Presence of My Name will not be revealed to him in the illuminated reflection, but in a dream and vision.

12:7

לֹא־כֵן עַבְדִּי מֹשֶׁה בְּכׇל־בֵּיתִי נֶאֱמָן הֽוּא׃

That is not the case with My servant, Moshe; in My entire house he is trusted.

That is not the case with My servant, Moshe; in My entire house he is trusted.

12:8

פֶּה אֶל־פֶּה אֲדַבֶּר־בּוֹ וּמַרְאֶה וְלֹא בְחִידֹת וּתְמֻנַת יְהֹוָה יַבִּיט וּמַדּוּעַ לֹא יְרֵאתֶם לְדַבֵּר בְּעַבְדִּי בְמֹשֶֽׁה׃

Mouth to mouth I speak to him, in a vision and not in riddles; he gazes at the likeness of Adonoy; so why are you not afraid to speak about My servant, about Moshe?”

Mouth to mouth I speak to him, in a vision and not in riddles; he gazes at the likeness of Adonoy; so why are you not afraid to speak about My servant, about Moshe?”

Rashi

פה אל פה. אָמַרְתִּי לוֹ לִפְרֹשׁ מִן הָאִשָּׁה (שם), וְהֵיכָן אָמַרְתִּי לוֹ? בְּסִינַי — "לֵךְ אֱמֹר לָהֶם שׁוּבוּ לָכֶם לְאָהֳלֵיכֶם וְאַתָּה פֹּה עֲמֹד עִמָּדִי" (דברים ה'):

Mouth to mouth. I told him to separate from his wife. Where did I tell him? At Sinai, “Go tell them ‘Return to your tents,’ but you remain with Me here.”

ומראה ולא בחדת. מַרְאֶה זֶה מַרְאֵה דִבּוּר, שֶׁאֲנִי מְפָרֵשׁ לוֹ דִּבּוּרִי בְּמַרְאִית פָּנִים שֶׁבּוֹ, וְאֵינִי סוֹתְמוֹ לוֹ בְחִידוֹת, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לִיחֶזְקֵאל (יחזקאל י"ז), "חוּד חִידָה" וְגוֹ'; יָכוֹל מַרְאֵה שְׁכִינָה? תַּ"ל (שמות ל"ג), "לֹא תוּכַל לִרְאֹת אֶת פָּנָי" (ספרי):

In a vision, and not in riddles. “In a vision” — this is the vision of the word, for I explain My word to him in the clearest form, I do not conceal it in riddles the way it was said to Yechezkel, “Present a riddle, etc.” Perhaps [this refers to] the vision of the Divine Presence? The Torah teaches, “you cannot see My Presence.”

ותמנת ה' יביט. זֶה מַרְאֵה אֲחוֹרַיִם, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות ל"ג), "וְרָאִיתָ אֶת אֲחֹרָי" (ספרי):

He gazes at the likeness of Adonoy. This is the vision of the back, according to what is said, “But you may see what is behind Me.”

בעבדי במשה. אֵינוֹ אוֹמֵר בְּעַבְדִּי מֹשֶׁה, אֶלָּא בְּעַבְדִּי בְמֹשֶׁה — בְּעַבְדִּי אַעַ"פִּ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מֹשֶׁה, בְּמֹשֶׁה אֲפִלּוּ אֵינוֹ עַבְדִּי כְּדַאי הֱיִיתֶם לִירוֹא מִפָּנָיו, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁהוּא עַבְדִּי, וְעֶבֶד מֶלֶךְ מֶלֶךְ, וְהָיָה לָכֶם לוֹמַר אֵין הַמֶּלֶךְ אוֹהֲבוֹ חִנָּם, וְאִם תֹּאמְרוּ אֵינִי מַכִּיר בְּמַעֲשָׂיו — זוֹ קָשָׁה מִן הָרִאשׁוֹנָה (שם):

About My servant, about Moshe. It does not say, ‘about My servant Moshe,’ but ‘about My servant, about Moshe’ — about My servant, even if he were not Moshe, about Moshe, even if he were not My servant, It would have been appropriate for you to have been in awe of him. Certainly since he is My servant, and the king’s servant is [as] the king. You should have said, ‘The king does not love him gratuitously.’ And if you say that I am not aware of his actions, then this (statement) is worse than the first!

12:9

וַיִּֽחַר־אַף יְהֹוָה בָּם וַיֵּלַֽךְ׃

Adonoy’s anger flared against them and He left.

Adonoy’s anger flared against them and He left.

Rashi

ויחר אף ה' בם וילך. מֵאַחַר שֶׁהוֹדִיעָם סִרְחוֹנָם גָּזַר עֲלֵיהֶם נִדּוּי, קַ"וָ לְבָשָׂר וָדָם, שֶׁלֹּא יִכְעֹס עַל חֲבֵרוֹ עַד שֶׁיּוֹדִיעֶנּוּ סִרְחוֹנוֹ (ספרי):

Adonoy’s anger flared against them and He left. After He informed them of their reprehensible behavior, He decreed excommunication against them. Certainly a mortal, then, should not be angry with his fellow until he informs him of his reprehensible behavior.

12:10

וְהֶעָנָן סָר מֵעַל הָאֹהֶל וְהִנֵּה מִרְיָם מְצֹרַעַת כַּשָּׁלֶג וַיִּפֶן אַהֲרֹן אֶל־מִרְיָם וְהִנֵּה מְצֹרָֽעַת׃

The cloud departed from atop the Tent and behold! Miriam became afflicted with tzora’as white as snow; and Aharon turned towards Miriam and behold, she was afflicted with tzora’as.

The cloud departed from atop the Tent and behold! Miriam became afflicted with tzora’as white as snow; and Aharon turned towards Miriam and behold, she was afflicted with tzora’as.

Rashi

והענן סר. וְאַחֲ"כַּ והנה מרים מצרעת כשלג, מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ שֶׁאָמַר לְפֵדָגוֹג, רְדֵה אֶת בְּנִי, אֲבָל לֹא תִרְדֶּנּוּ עַד שֶׁאֵלֵךְ מֵאֶצְלְךָ, שֶׁרַחֲמַי עָלָיו (שם):

The cloud departed. Afterward, “Behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow.” This is compared to a king who said to a pedagogue, ‘Punish my son, but do not punish him until I leave, as I pity him.’

12:11

וַיֹּאמֶר אַהֲרֹן אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בִּי אֲדֹנִי אַל־נָא תָשֵׁת עָלֵינוּ חַטָּאת אֲשֶׁר נוֹאַלְנוּ וַאֲשֶׁר חָטָֽאנוּ׃

Aharon said to Moshe: “Oh, my master please do not put iniquity upon us for what we have foolishly done and for what we have transgressed.

Aharon said to Moshe: “Oh, my master please do not put iniquity upon us for what we have foolishly done and for what we have transgressed.

Rashi

נואלנו. כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ, לְשׁוֹן אֱוִיל:

We have foolishly done. As Targum [Onkelos] translates, from the word אֱוִיל, “fool.”

12:12

אַל־נָא תְהִי כַּמֵּת אֲשֶׁר בְּצֵאתוֹ מֵרֶחֶם אִמּוֹ וַיֵּאָכֵל חֲצִי בְשָׂרֽוֹ׃

Please let her not be like the dead; That, since he came from his mother’s womb, it would be as half of his own flesh was consumed.”

Please let her not be like the dead; That, since he came from his mother’s womb, it would be as half of his own flesh was consumed.”

Rashi

אל נא תהי. אֲחוֹתֵנוּ זוֹ:

Please, let her not be, this our sister.

כמת. שֶׁהַמְּצֹרָע חָשׁוּב כַּמֵּת, מַה מֵּת מְטַמֵּא בְּבִיאָה אַף מְצֹרָע מְטַמֵּא בְּבִיאָה (שם):

Like the dead. Since the leper is considered dead. Just as the dead cause ritual defilement when entering [a room], so does the leper cause ritual defilement when entering.

אשר בצאתו מרחם אמו. אִמֵּנוּ הָיָה לוֹ לוֹמַר, אֶלָּא שֶׁכִּנָּה הַכָּתוּב, וְכֵן חֲצִי בְשָׂרוֹ, חֲצִי בְשָׂרֵנוּ הָיָה לוֹ לוֹמַר, אֶלָּא שֶׁכִּנָּה הַכָּתוּב, מֵאַחַר שֶׁיָּצְתָה מֵרֶחֶם אִמֵּנוּ, הִיא לָנוּ כְּאִלּוּ נֶאֱכַל חֲצִי בְשָׂרֵנוּ, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי אָחִינוּ בְשָׂרֵנוּ הוּא" (בראשית ל"ז), וּלְפִי מַשְׁמָעוֹ, אַף הוּא נִרְאֶה כֵן, אֵין רָאוּי לְאָח לְהַנִּיחַ אֶת אֲחוֹתוֹ לִהְיוֹת כַּמֵּת:

That, since he came from his mother’s womb. “Our mother” should have been said, but Scripture euphemises. Similarly, “half his flesh” — “half our flesh” should have been said, but Scripture euphemises. That, since she came from our mother’s womb, [what] she [suffers] is ours, as if half our flesh were eaten away. This is similar to what is said, “for he is our brother, our flesh.” The simple interpretation also appears the same. It is unconscionable for a brother to allow his sister to remain as if dead.

אשר בצאתו. מֵאַחַר שֶׁיָּצָא זֶה מֵרֶחֶם אִמּוֹ שֶׁל זֶה, שֶׁיֵּשׁ כֹּחַ בְּיָדוֹ לַעֲזֹר וְאֵינוֹ עוֹזְרוֹ — הֲרֵי נֶאֱכָל חצי בשרו, שֶׁאָחִיו בְּשָׂרוֹ הוּא; דָּ"אַ, אל נא תהי כמת — אִם אֵינְךָ רוֹפְאָהּ בִּתְפִלָּה, מִי מַסְגִּירָהּ, מִי מְטַהֲרָהּ? אֲנִי אִ"אֶ לִרְאוֹתָהּ, שֶׁאֲנִי קָרוֹב וְאֵין קָרוֹב רוֹאֶה אֶת הַנְּגָעִים, וְכֹהֵן אַחֵר אֵין בָּעוֹלָם, וְזֶהוּ אשר בצאתו מרחם אמו:

That, since he came. Since he [also] came from the mother’s womb of this one who has the power to help but does not, then half his own flesh is eaten away, as his brother, is his flesh. Another interpretation [of] “Please, let her not be like the dead.” If you do not heal her through prayer, who will confine her, and who will purify her? I can not possibly examine her, as I am related, and a relative cannot examine the symptoms of leprosy. And there is no other kohein in the world. This is [what is meant by] “that, since he came from his mother’s womb.”

12:13

וַיִּצְעַק מֹשֶׁה אֶל־יְהֹוָה לֵאמֹר אֵל נָא רְפָא נָא לָֽהּ׃ {פ}

Moshe cried out [in prayer] to Adonoy, saying: “Please, God, please heal her.”

Moshe cried out [in prayer] to Adonoy, saying: “Please, God, please heal her.”

Rashi

אל נא רפא נא לה. בָּא הַכָּתוּב לְלַמֶּדְךָ דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ, שֶׁהַשּׁוֹאֵל דָּבָר מֵחֲבֵרוֹ צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר שְׁנַיִם אוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה דִבְרֵי תַחֲנוּנִים וְאַ"כַּ יְבַקֵּשׁ שְׁאֵלוֹתָיו (ספרי):

Please, God, please heal her. Scripture comes to teach proper behavior — that one who requests something from his fellow must say two or three words of supplication, then, afterward, make his requests.

לאמר. מַה תַּ"ל ? אָמַר לוֹ הֲשִׁיבֵנִי אִם אַתָּה מְרַפֵּא אוֹתָהּ אִם לָאו עַד שֶׁהֱשִׁיבוֹ וְאָבִיהָ יָרֹק יָרַק וְגוֹ'; רַאֶבֶּ"עֲ אוֹמֵר בְּאַרְבָּעָה מְקוֹמוֹת בִּקֵּשׁ מֹשֶׁה מִלִּפְנֵי הַקָּבָּ"ה לַהֲשִׁיבוֹ אִם יַעֲשֶׂה שְׁאֵלוֹתָיו אִם לָאו: כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ, "וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי ה' לֵאמֹר" וְגוֹ' (שמות ו'), מַה תַּ"ל "לֵאמֹר"? הֲשִׁיבֵנִי אִם גּוֹאֲלָם אַתָּה אִם לָאו עַד שֶׁהֱשִׁיבוֹ "עַתָּה תִרְאֶה" וְגוֹ', כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ, "וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי ה' לֵאמֹר יִפְקֹד ה' אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל בָּשָׂר" (במדבר כ"ז), הֱשִׁיבוֹ "קַח לְךָ", כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ "וָאֶתְחַנַּן אֶל ה' בָּעֵת הַהִוא לֵאמֹר" (דברים ג'), הֱשִׁיבוֹ "רַב לָךְ" (ספרי):

Saying. What does the Torah teach? He (Moshe) said to Him, ‘Answer me, [as to] whether or not You will cure her’ — until He did answer, “If her father were to spit, etc.” R’ Elazar son of Azariah said, in four places, Moshe asked the Holy One, Blessed is He, that He answer him [as to] whether or not He would grant his requests. Similarly, “Moshe spoke before God, saying, etc.” What does the Torah teach by writing “saying”? ‘Answer me [as to] whether or not You will redeem them’ — until He did answer him, “Now you will see, etc.” Similarly, “Moshe spoke to God, saying, ‘let God, the God of the spirit of all flesh, appoint’.” He answered: “Take for you.” Similarly, “I pleaded with God at that time, saying.” He answered him, “Enough, for you.”

רפא נא לה. מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא הֶאֱרִיךְ מֹשֶׁה בִּתְפִלָּה? שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים, אֲחוֹתוֹ עוֹמֶדֶת בְּצָרָה וְהוּא עוֹמֵד וּמַרְבֶּה בִתְפִלָּה (ספרי) (דָּ"אַ, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, בִּשְׁבִיל אֲחוֹתוֹ הוּא מַאֲרִיךְ בִּתְפִלָּה אֲבָל בִּשְׁבִילֵנוּ אֵינוֹ מַאֲרִיךְ בִּתְפִלָּה):

Please heal her. Why did not Moshe pray at length? So that the Israelites should not say, “His sister is suffering, and he stands and prolongs his prayer.” (Another interpretation: So that the Israelites should not say, For his sister he prays at length, but for us he does not pray at length).

12:14

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאָבִיהָ יָרֹק יָרַק בְּפָנֶיהָ הֲלֹא תִכָּלֵם שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תִּסָּגֵר שִׁבְעַת יָמִים מִחוּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶה וְאַחַר תֵּאָסֵֽף׃

Adonoy said to Moshe: “If her father were to spit in her face would she not be in shame for seven days? She shall be closed off for seven days, beyond the encampment, and after that, she may join again.”

Adonoy said to Moshe: “If her father were to spit in her face would she not be in shame for seven days? She shall be closed off for seven days, beyond the encampment, and after that, she may join again.”

Rashi

ואביה ירק ירק בפניה. וְאִם אָבִיהָ הֶרְאָה לָהּ פָּנִים זוֹעֲפוֹת, הלא תכלם שבעת ימים? קַ"וָ לִשְׁכִינָה י"ד יוֹם, אֶלָּא דַּיּוֹ לַבָּא מִן הַדִּין לִהְיוֹת כַּנִּדּוֹן, לְפִיכָךְ אַף בִּנְזִיפָתִי תסגר שבעת ימים (שם; בבא קמא כ"ה):

If (lit. “and”) her father were to spit in her face. If her father were to display, to her, an angry face, would she not be humiliated for seven days? Certainly, then, in the case of the Divine Presence, [she should be humiliated] for fourteen days. However, it is sufficient that the derivative equal the source of its derivation. Therefore, even with My rebuke, let her be confined for seven days.

ואחר תאסף. אוֹמֵר אֲנִי, כָּל הָאֲסִיפוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בִּמְצֹרָעִים עַל שֵׁם שֶׁהוּא מְשֻׁלָּח מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה, וּכְשֶׁהוּא נִרְפָּא נֶאֱסָף אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה, לְכָךְ כָּתוּב בּוֹ אֲסִיפָה, לְשׁוֹן הַכְנָסָה:

And after that, she may join again. I say that all אֲסִיפוֹת mentioned regarding lepers are related to his expulsion from the camp. When he is cured, he is brought into the camp. Thus, אֲסִיפָה is written concerning him, meaning bringing in.

12:15

וַתִּסָּגֵר מִרְיָם מִחוּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים וְהָעָם לֹא נָסַע עַד־הֵאָסֵף מִרְיָֽם׃

Miriam was closed off beyond the encampment for seven days, and the people did not depart until Miriam was brought in to join them.

Miriam was closed off beyond the encampment for seven days, and the people did not depart until Miriam was brought in to join them.

Rashi

והעם לא נסע. זֶה הַכָּבוֹד חָלַק לָהּ הַמָּקוֹם בִּשְׁבִיל שָׁעָה אַחַת שֶׁנִּתְעַכְּבָה לְמֹשֶׁה כְּשֶׁהֻשְׁלַךְ לַיְאוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות ב') "וַתֵּתַצַּב אֲחֹתוֹ מֵרָחֹק" וְגוֹ' (סוטה ט'):

The people did not depart. This honor was accorded her by the Omnipresent for the one hour she remained with Moshe when he was cast into the river, as it is said, “his sister stood from afar, etc.

12:16

וְאַחַר נָסְעוּ הָעָם מֵחֲצֵרוֹת וַֽיַּחֲנוּ בְּמִדְבַּר פָּארָֽן׃ {פ}

After that, the people traveled from Chatzeiros and they camped in the desert of Paran.

After that, the people traveled from Chatzeiros and they camped in the desert of Paran.

Texts

  • Hebrew: Miqra according to the Masorah · License: CC-BY-SA
  • English: Metsudah Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009 · License: CC-BY
  • Hebrew: Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann -- corrected vocalization · License: PD
  • English: Rashi Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009 · License: CC-BY

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