Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn of the journeys of the Aron and the beautiful tefillos Moshe Rabbeinu would say when it traveled and when it rested. But right after, the Torah tells us of the painful nisyonos in the midbar, starting with the mis'onanim who complained bitterly, bringing down a fire from Hashem, and the eirev rav who stirred up a lust for meat, weeping over the sweet manna that Hashem lovingly provided for them every single day.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיְהִיAnd it wasבִּנְסֹעַwhen journeyedהָאָרֹןthe Arkוַיֹּאמֶרand saidמֹשֶׁהMosheקוּמָהAriseיְהוָהHashemוְיָפֻצוּand let scatterאֹיְבֶיךָYour enemiesוְיָנֻסוּand let fleeמְשַׂנְאֶיךָthose who hate Youמִפָּנֶיךָ׃from before You

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd it wasבנסעwhen journeyedהארן.the ArkעָשָֹהHe madeלוֹfor itסִימָנִיּוֹתmarksמִלְּפָנָיוfrom before itוּמִלְּאַחֲרָיוand from behind itלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁאֵיןthat is notזֶהthisמְקוֹמוֹ,its placeוְלָמָּהand whyנִכְתַּבwas it writtenכָּאן?hereכְּדֵיin orderלְהַפְסִיקto separateבֵּיןbetweenפֻּרְעָנוּתpunishmentלְפֻרְעָנוּתto punishmentוְכוּ',etceteraכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְּכָלin KolכִּתְבֵיKitveiהַקֹּדֶשׁHaKodeshשבתShabbosקט"ו115:

רַשִׁ״י

קומהRise upה'.HashemלְפִיBecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat it wasמַקְדִּיםgoing aheadלִפְנֵיהֶםbefore themמַהֲלַךְa journey ofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeיָמִים,daysהָיָהwasמֹשֶׁהMosheאוֹמֵרsayingעֲמֹדstandוְהַמְתֵּןand waitלָנוּfor usוְאַלand do notתִּתְרַחֵקgo farיוֹתֵר.moreתַּנְחוּמָאTanchumaבְּוַיַּקְהֵל:in Vayakhel

רַשִׁ״י

ויפצוand let be scatteredאיביך.Your enemiesהַמְכֻנָּסִין:those who are gathered

רַשִׁ״י

וינסוand let fleeמשנאיך.those who hate youאֵלּוּthese areהָרוֹדְפִים:the pursuers

רַשִׁ״י

משנאיך.Those who hate Youאֵלּוּthese areשׂוֹנְאֵיthe haters ofיִשְׂרָאל,Yisraelשֶׁכָּלfor everyoneהַשּׂוֹנֵאwho hatesאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשׂוֹנֵאhatesאֶת—מִיHimשֶׁאָמַרWho spokeוְהָיָהand wasהָעוֹלָם,the worldשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וּמְשַׂנְאֶיךָand those who hate Youנָשְׂאוּhave liftedרֹאשׁ"headתהליםTehillimפ"ג83,וּמִיand whoהֵם?are they"עַלagainstעַמְּךָYour peopleיַעֲרִימוּthey make craftyסוֹד":counsel

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וּבְנֻחֹהand when it restedיֹאמַרhe would sayשׁוּבָהreturnיְהוָהHashemרִבְבוֹתto the myriadsאַלְפֵיof thousands ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Israel

רַשִׁ״י

שובהReturnה'.HashemמְנַחֵםMenachemתִּרְגְּמוֹtranslated itלְשׁוֹןan expression ofמַרְגּוֹעַ,restוְכֵןand so"בְּשׁוּבָהIn restוָנַחַתand tranquilityתִּוָּשֵׁעוּן"shall you be savedישעיהוYeshayahuל'chapter 30:

רַשִׁ״י

רבבותmyriads ofאלפיthousands ofישראל.Israelמַגִּידthis teachesשֶׁאֵיןthat notהַשְּׁכִינָהthe Shechinahשׁוֹרָהrestsבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלupon Israelפְּחוּתִיםlessמִשְּׁנֵיthan twoאֲלָפִיםthousandsוּשְׁתֵּיand twoרְבָבוֹתmyriadsיבמותYevamotס"ד64a:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיְהִיAnd it wasהָעָםthe peopleכְּמִתְאֹנְנִיםlike complainersרַעevilבְּאָזְנֵיin the ears ofיְהוָהHashemוַיִּשְׁמַעand He heardיְהוָהHashemוַיִּחַרand was kindledאַפּוֹHis angerוַתִּבְעַרand burnedבָּםamong themאֵשׁa fire ofיְהוָהHashemוַתֹּאכַלand it consumedבִּקְצֵהat the edge ofהַמַּחֲנֶה׃the camp

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd they wereהעםthe peopleכמתאננים.as complainersאֵיןThere is notהָעָםthe peopleאֶלָּאbutרְשָׁעִים,wicked onesוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"מָהWhatאֶעֱשֶׂהshall I doלָעָםto the peopleהַזֶּה"thisשמותShemosי"ז17,וְאוֹמֵרand it says"הָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisהָרָע"evilירמיהוYirmeyahuי"ג13;וּכְשֶׁהֵםAnd when theyכְּשֵׁרִיםare properקְרוּאִיםthey are called"עַמִּי",My peopleשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"שַׁלַּחLet goעַמִּי"My peopleשמותShemosח׳:ט״ז8,"עַמִּי16מֶהMy peopleעָשִׂיתִיwhatלְךָ"have I doneמיכהto youו'Michah:

רַשִׁ״י

כמתאננים.as those complainingאֵיןthere is notמִתְאוֹנְנִיםcomplainingאֶלָּאbut ratherלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעֲלִילָהa pretext—מְבַקְּשִׁיםthey seekעֲלִילָהa pretextהֵיאַךְhowלִפְרֹשׁto separateמֵאַחֲרֵיfrom behindהַמָּקוֹם,the Omnipresentוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysבְּשִׁמְשׁוֹןconcerning ShimshonשופטיםShoftimי"ד14,"כִּיforתֹאֲנָהa pretextהוּאheמְבַקֵּשׁ"seeksספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

רעevilבאזניin the ears ofה'.Hashemתּוֹאֲנָהa pretextשֶׁהִיאthat it isרָעָהevilבְּאָזְנֵיin the ears ofה',Hashemשֶׁמִּתְכַּוְּנִיםthat they intendשֶׁתָּבֹאthat it should comeבְּאָזְנָיוinto His earsוְיַקְנִיט,and He will angerאָמְרוּ:they saidאוֹיwoeלָנוּ,unto usכַּמָּהhow muchלֻבַּטְנוּwe have been weariedבַּדֶּרֶךְon the journeyהַזֶּה,thisשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeיָמִיםdaysשֶׁלֹּאthat notנַחְנוּwe have restedמֵעִנּוּיfrom the affliction ofהַדֶּרֶךְ:the journey

רַשִׁ״י

ויחרAnd glowedאפו.His wrathאֲנִיIהָיִיתִיwasמִתְכַּוֵּןintendingלְטוֹבַתְכֶםfor your good—שֶׁתִּכָּנְסוּthat you enterלָאָרֶץinto the landמִיָּד:immediately

רַשִׁ״י

בקצהIn the extremity ofהמחנה.the campבְּמֻּקְצִיןamong the extreme onesשֶׁבָּהֶםwho were among themלְשִׁפְלוּת,in basenessאֵלּוּtheseעֵרֶבthe mixedרַב,multitudeרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןson ofמְנַסְיָאMenasyaאוֹמֵר,saysבַּקְּצִינִיםamong the officersשֶׁבָּהֶםwho were among themוּבַגְּדוֹלִיםand among the great onesעי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיִּצְעַקAnd cried outהָעָםthe peopleאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheוַיִּתְפַּלֵּלand prayedמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoיְהוָהHashemוַתִּשְׁקַעand subsidedהָאֵשׁ׃the fire

רַשִׁ״י

ויצעקAnd they criedהעםthe peopleאלtoמשה.MosheמָשָׁלA parableלְמֶלֶךְto a king ofבָּשָׂרfleshוָדָםand bloodשֶׁכָּעַסwho was angryעַלwithבְּנוֹ,his sonוְהָלַךְand wentהַבֵּןthe sonאֵצֶלtoאוֹהֲבוֹthe friend ofשֶׁל·אָבִיוhis fatherוְאָמַרand saidלוֹto himצֵאGoוּבַקֵּשׁand requestעָלַיfor meמֵאַבָּא:from father

רַשִׁ״י

ותשקעAnd it sankהאש.the fireשָׁקְעָהit sankבִּמְקוֹמָהּ,in its placeשֶׁאִלּוּfor ifחָזְרָהit had turnedלְאַחַתto one ofהָרוּחוֹתthe directionsהָיְתָהit would haveמְקַפֶּלֶתrolledוְהוֹלֶכֶתand gone alongכָּלall ofאוֹתוֹthatהָרוּחַdirectionספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיִּקְרָאAnd he calledשֵׁםthe name ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַהוּאthatתַּבְעֵרָהTaberahכִּיbecauseבָעֲרָהburnedבָםamong themאֵשׁa fire ofיְהוָה׃Hashem

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְהָאסַפְסֻףAnd the rabbleאֲשֶׁרwhoבְּקִרְבּוֹin its midstהִתְאַוּוּcravedתַּאֲוָהa cravingוַיָּשֻׁבוּand they returnedוַיִּבְכּוּand they weptגַּםalsoבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidמִיwhoיַאֲכִלֵנוּwill feed usבָּשָׂר׃meat

רַשִׁ״י

והאספסף.And the throngאֵלּוּthese wereעֵרֶבthe mixedרַבmultitudeשֶׁנֶּאֶסְפוּthat gathered themselvesעֲלֵיהֶםunto themבְּצֵאתָםwhen they leftמִמִּצְרַיִם:from Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

וישבוand they returnedגםalsoבניthe children ofישראלYisraelויבכו.and they weptעִמָּהֶם:with them

רַשִׁ״י

מיWhoיאכלנוshall feed usבשר.fleshוְכִיAnd is itלֹאnotהָיָהthat there wasלָהֶםto themבָּשָׂר?fleshוַהֲלֹאbut beholdכְּבָרalreadyנֶאֱמַרit was said"וְגַםand alsoעֵרֶבa mixedרַבmultitudeעָלָהwent upאִתָּםwith themוְצֹאןand flocksוּבָקָר"and cattleוְגוֹ'etcשמותShemosי"ב12,וְאִ"תֹּand if you sayאֲכָלוּם,they consumed themוַהֲלֹאbut beholdבִּכְנִיסָתָןat their entryלָאָרֶץto the Landנֶאֱמַרit was said"וּמִקְנֶהand livestockרַבabundantהָיָהthere wasלִבְנֵיto the children ofרְאוּבֵן"Reuvenוְגוֹ'etcבמדברBamidbarל"ב32?אֶלָּאratherשֶׁמְּבַקְשִׁיםthat they seekעֲלִילָהa pretextספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

זָכַרְנוּWe rememberאֶת—הַדָּגָהthe fishאֲשֶׁרwhichנֹאכַלwe would eatבְּמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimחִנָּםfreeאֵת—הַקִּשֻּׁאִיםthe cucumbersוְאֵתand —הָאֲבַטִּחִיםthe melonsוְאֶתand —הֶחָצִירthe leeksוְאֶתand —הַבְּצָלִיםthe onionsוְאֶתand —הַשּׁוּמִים׃the garlic

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichנאכלwe ateבמצריםin Egyptחנם.for nothingאִ"תֹּif you sayשֶׁמִּצְרִיִּיםthat Egyptiansנוֹתְנִיםwere givingלָהֶםto themדָּגִיםfishחִנָּם,for nothingוַהֲלֹאbut is it notכְּבָרalreadyנֶאֱמַרstated"וְתֶבֶןand strawלֹאnotיִנָּתֵןshall be givenלָכֶם"to youשמותShemosה'chapter 5,אִםifתֶּבֶןstrawלֹאnotהָיוּthey wereנוֹתְנִיןgivingלָהֶםto themחִנָּם,for nothingדָּגִיםfishהָיוּthey wereנוֹתְנִיןgivingלָהֶםto themחִנָּם?for nothingוּמַהוּand what isאוֹמֵרit sayingחִנָּם,for nothingחִנָּםfreeמִןfromהַמִּצְוֹתthe mitzvosספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

את—הקשאים.the cucumbersאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמָהwhatהַמָּןthe mannaמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangesלְכָלto everyדָּבָרthingחוּץexceptמֵאֵלּוּ?from theseמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthat theyקָשִׁיםare harmfulלַמְּנִיקוֹת,to nursing mothersאוֹמְרִיםthey sayלְאִשָּׁהto a womanאַלdo notתֹּאכְלִיeatשׁוּםgarlicוּבָצָלand onionמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַתִּינוֹק,the babyמָשָׁלa parableלְמֶלֶךְto a kingוְכוּ',etceteraכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְּסִפְרֵי:in Sifrei

רַשִׁ״י

הקשאים.The cucumbersהֵםthey areקוקומבר"שׂcucumbersבְּלַעַז:in foreign tongue

רַשִׁ״י

אבטיחים.melonsבודיק"ש:boudekes

רַשִׁ״י

החציר.The grassכְּרֵישִׁין,leeksפוריל"שporelsתַּרְגּוּמוֹits translationיָת—בּוֹצִינַיָּאmelonsוְכוּ'etcetera:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וְעַתָּהand nowנַפְשֵׁנוּour soulיְבֵשָׁהis dried upאֵיןthere is nothingכֹּלat allבִּלְתִּיexceptאֶלtoהַמָּןthe mannaעֵינֵינוּ׃are our eyes

רַשִׁ״י

אלtoהמןthe mannaעינינו.our eyesמָןmannaבַּשַּׁחַר,in the morningמָןmannaבָּעֶרֶב:in the evening

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְהַמָּןAnd the mannaכִּזְרַעwas like seed ofגַּדcorianderהוּאitוְעֵינוֹand its appearanceכְּעֵיןwas like the appearance ofהַבְּדֹלַח׃the bdellium

רַשִׁ״י

והמןAnd the mannaכזרעwas like seed ofגד.corianderמִיHe whoשֶׁאָמַרsaidזֶהthisלֹאdid notאָמַרsayזֶה,thisיִשְֹרָאֵלYisraelאוֹמְרִיםwere saying"בִּלְתִּיnothingאֶלbutהַמָּןthe mannaעֵינֵינוּ"are our eyesוְהַקָּבָּ"הand the Holy Oneהִכְתִּיבhad writtenבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torah"וְהַמָּןand the mannaכִּזְרַעwas like seed ofגַּד"corianderוְגוֹ',etceteraכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayרְאוּseeבָּאֵיinhabitants ofעוֹלָםthe worldעַלaboutמָהwhatמִתְלוֹנְנִיםare complainingבָּנַי,My childrenוְהַמָּןwhen the mannaכָּךְsoוְכָךְand soהוּאit isחָשׁוּב:important

רַשִׁ״י

כזרעlike the seed ofגד.corianderעָגֹלroundכְּגִידָּאlike coriander—זֶרַעseed ofקוליינדר"ו:coriander

רַשִׁ״י

הבדלח.The bedolachשֵׁםis the name ofאֶבֶןa stoneטוֹבָהpreciousקריסט"ל:crystal

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

שָׁטוּstrolledהָעָםthe peopleוְלָקְטוּand gatheredוְטָחֲנוּand groundבָרֵחַיִםwith millstonesאוֹorדָכוּpoundedבַּמְּדֹכָהin a mortarוּבִשְּׁלוּand cookedבַּפָּרוּרin a potוְעָשׂוּand madeאֹתוֹitעֻגוֹתinto cakesוְהָיָהand wasטַעְמוֹits tasteכְּטַעַםlike the taste ofלְשַׁדrichness ofהַשָּׁמֶן׃oil

רַשִׁ״י

שטו.went aboutאֵיןthere is noשִׁיּוּטstrollingאֶלָּאbutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofטִיּוּל,walking aboutאישבנ"יירesbanoyer—בְּלֹאwithoutעָמָל:exertion

רַשִׁ״י

וטחנוAnd they groundברחיםin millstonesוגו'.etc.לֹאnotיָרַדdid it descendבָּרֵחַיִםinto millstonesוְלֹאand notבַקְּדֵרָהinto a potוְלֹאand notבַמְּדוֹכָה,into a mortarאֶלָּאbutמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangingהָיָהit wasטַעֲמוֹits tasteלַנִּטְחָנִיןto ground thingsוְלַנְּדוֹכִיןand to pounded thingsוְלַמְבֻשָּׁלִיןand to cooked thingsספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

בפרור.in a potקְדֵרָה:a pot

רַשִׁ״י

לשדmoisture ofהשמן.the oilלִחְלוּחַmoisture ofשֶׁלofשֶׁמֶן,oilכָּךְsoפֵּרְשׁוֹexplained itדּוּנָשׁ,Dunashוְדוֹמֶהand similarלוֹto it"נֶהְפַּךְis turnedלְשַׁדִּיmy sapבְּחַרְבֹנֵיby the drought ofקַיִץ"summerתהיליםTehillimל"ב32,וְהַלָּמֶ"דand the lamedיְסוֹד,a root letter—נֶהְפַּךְis turnedלִחְלוּחִיmy moistureבְּחַרְבוֹנֵיby the drought ofקַיִץ.summerוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisפֵרְשׁוּהוּexplained itלְשׁוֹןas an expression ofשָׁדַיִם,breastsאַךְbutאֵיןthere is noעִנְיַןmatter ofשָׁדַיִםbreastsאֵצֶלassociated withשֶׁמֶן;oilוְאִאֶ"לand one cannotלְשַׁדmoisture ofהַשָּׁמֶןthe fatלְשׁוֹןas an expression of"וַיִּשְׁמַןand he waxed fatיְשֻׁרוּן"YeshurunדבריםDevarimל"ב32,שֶׁאִםfor ifכֵּןsoהָיָהwould beהַמֵּ"םthe memנָקוּדvoweled withקָמָץkamatzוְטַעְמוֹand its accentלְמַטָּהbelowתַּחַתunderהַמֵּ"ם,the memעַכְשָׁוnowשֶׁהַמֵּ"םthat the memנָקוּדis voweled withפַּתָּחpatachקָטָןsmallוְהַטַּעַםand the accentתַּחַתunderהַשִּׁי"ן,the shinלְשׁוֹןan expression ofשֶׁמֶןoilהוּא,it isוְהַשִּׁ"יןand the shinהַנְּקוּדָהwhich is voweledבְּקָמָץwith kamatzגָּדוֹלlargeוְאֵינָהּand is notנְקוּדָהvoweledבְּפַתָּחwith patachקָטָןsmallמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isסוֹףthe end ofפָּסוּק.a verseדָּ"אַ:another explanationלְשַׁדleshadלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofנוֹטָרִיקוֹןan acrostic—לִישׁkneadingשֶׁמֶןoilדְּבַשׁ,honeyכְּעִסָּהlike doughהַנִּלּוֹשָׁהthat is kneadedבְּשֶׁמֶןwith oilוּקְטוּפָהand smearedבִדְבַשׁ.with honeyוְתַרְגּוּםand the translationשֶׁלofאֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelosדִּמְתַרְגֵּםwho translates"דְּלִישׁkneadedבְּמִשְׁחָא"with oilנוֹטֶהinclinesלְפִתְרוֹנוֹto the explanationשֶׁלofדּוּנָשׁ,Dunashשֶׁהָעִסָּהfor the doughהַנִּלּוֹשָׁהthat is kneadedבְשֶׁמֶןwith oilלַחְלוּחִיתmoisture ofשֶׁמֶןoilיֵשׁthere isבָּהּ:in it

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וּבְרֶדֶתAnd when descendedהַטַּלthe dewעַלuponהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campלָיְלָהat nightיֵרֵדwould descendהַמָּןthe mannaעָלָיו׃upon it

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיִּשְׁמַעAnd heardמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleבֹּכֶהweepingלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָיוaccording to its familiesאִישׁeach manלְפֶתַחat the entrance ofאָהֳלוֹhis tentוַיִּחַרand flaredאַףthe wrath ofיְהוָהHashemמְאֹדgreatlyוּבְעֵינֵיand in the eyes ofמֹשֶׁהMosheרָע׃it was bad

רַשִׁ״י

בכהweepingלמשפחתיו.throughout their familiesמִשְׁפָּחוֹתfamiliesמִשְׁפָּחוֹתfamiliesנֶאֱסָפִיםgatheringוּבוֹכִיםand weepingלְפַרְסֵםto publicizeתַּרְעֻמְתָּןtheir complaintבְּגָלוּי.openlyוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our RabbisאָמְרוּsaidיומאYomaע"ה75לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָיו,concerning his familiesעַלregardingעִסְקֵיmatters ofמִשְׁפָּחוֹתfamilies—עַלconcerningעֲרָיוֹתforbidden relationsהַנֶּאֱסָרוֹתthat were forbiddenלָהֶם:to them

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoיְהוָהHashemלָמָהwhyהֲרֵעֹתָhave You done evilלְעַבְדֶּךָto Your servantוְלָמָּהand whyלֹאnotמָצָתִיhave I foundחֵןfavorבְּעֵינֶיךָin Your eyesלָשׂוּםto placeאֶת—מַשָּׂאthe burden ofכָּלall ofהָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisעָלָי׃upon me

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

הֶאָנֹכִיDid Iהָרִיתִיconceiveאֵת—כָּלall ofהָעָםthe nationהַזֶּהthisאִםorאָנֹכִיdid Iיְלִדְתִּיהוּgive birth to themכִּיthatתֹאמַרYou should sayאֵלַיto meשָׂאֵהוּcarry themבְחֵיקֶךָin your bosomכַּאֲשֶׁרasיִשָּׂאcarriesהָאֹמֵןthe caregiverאֶת—הַיֹּנֵקthe infantעַלtoהָאֲדָמָהthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichנִשְׁבַּעְתָּYou sworeלַאֲבֹתָיו׃to their fathers

רַשִׁ״י

כיthatתאמרyou should sayאלי.to meשֶׁאַתָּהthat youאוֹמֵרsayאֵלַיto meשָׂאֵהוּcarry themבְחֵיקֶךָ;in your bosomוְהֵיכָןand whereאָמַרdid He sayלוֹto himכֵן?so"לֵךְgoנְחֵהleadאֶת—הָעָם"the peopleשמותShemosל"ב32,וְאוֹמֵרand it says"וַיְצַוֵּםand He commanded themאֶלconcerningבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל"Yisraelשםthereו'6—עַלonמְנָתconditionשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they will beסוֹקְלִיםstoningאֶתְכֶםyouוּמְחָרְפִיםand insultingאֶתְכֶםyouספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

עלuntoהאדמהthe landאשרwhichנשבעתYou sworeלאבתיו.to their fathersאַתָּהYouאוֹמֵרsayלִיto meלְשֵׂאתָםto carry themבְּחֵיקִי:in my bosom

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

מֵאַיִןFrom whereלִיto meבָּשָׂרmeatלָתֵתto giveלְכָלto all ofהָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisכִּיforיִבְכּוּthey weepעָלַיupon meלֵאמֹרsayingתְּנָהgiveלָּנוּto usבָשָׂרmeatוְנֹאכֵלָה׃and we will eat

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

לֹאnotאוּכַלwill I be ableאָנֹכִיIלְבַדִּיaloneלָשֵׂאתto carryאֶת—כָּלall ofהָעָםthe nationהַזֶּהthisכִּיforכָבֵדit is too heavyמִמֶּנִּי׃for me

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וְאִםAnd ifכָּכָהthusאַתְּYouעֹשֶׂהdealלִּיwith meהָרְגֵנִיkill meנָאpleaseהָרֹגby killingאִםifמָצָאתִיI have foundחֵןfavorבְּעֵינֶיךָin Your eyesוְאַלand let notאֶרְאֶהI seeבְּרָעָתִי׃my wretchedness

רַשִׁ״י

ואםAnd ifככהthusאתYouעושהdoלי.to meתָּשַׁשׁbecame weakכֹּחוֹthe strength ofשֶׁל·מֹשֶׁהMosheכִּנְקֵבָהlike a femaleכְּשֶׁהֶרְאָהוּwhen He showed himהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heהַפֻּרְעָנוּתthe punishmentשֶׁהוּאthat Heעָתִידis destinedלְהָבִיאto bringעֲלֵיהֶםupon themעַלforזֹאת,thisאָמַרhe saidלְפָנָיו,before Himאִםifכֵּן,soהָרְגֵנִיkill meתְּחִלָּה:first

רַשִׁ״י

ואלAnd let me notאראהseeברעתי.my evilבְּרָעָתָםtheir evilהָיָהit wasלוֹfor itלִכְתֹּב,to writeאֶלָּאbutשֶׁכִּנָּהthat euphemizedהַכָּתוּב,the Scriptureוְזֶהand thisאֶחָדis oneמִתִּקּוּנֵיof the correctionsסוֹפְרִיםof scribesבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahלְכִנּוּיfor euphemismוּלְתִקּוּןand for correctionלָשׁוֹן:of expression

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶסְפָהgatherלִּיfor Meשִׁבְעִיםseventyאִישׁmenמִזִּקְנֵיfrom the elders ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֲשֶׁרwhomיָדַעְתָּyou knowכִּיthatהֵםthey areזִקְנֵיthe elders ofהָעָםthe peopleוְשֹׁטְרָיוand its officersוְלָקַחְתָּand you shall takeאֹתָםthemאֶלtoאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingוְהִתְיַצְּבוּand they shall standשָׁםthereעִמָּךְ׃with you

רַשִׁ״י

אספהGatherלי.unto Meהֲרֵיbeholdתְשׁוּבָהthe replyלִתְלוּנָתְךָto your complaintשֶׁאָמַרְתָּwhich you saidלֹאnotאוּכַלwill I be ableאָנֹכִיIלְבַדִּי;aloneוְהַזְּקֵנִיםand the eldersהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe firstהֵיכָןwhereהָיוּ?were theyוַהֲלֹאbut did notאַףevenבְּמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimיָשְׁבוּthey sitעִמָּהֶם,with themשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosג'3"לֵךְGoוְאָסַפְתָּand gatherאֶת—זִקְנֵיthe elders ofיִשְׂרָאֵל"?Yisraelאֶלָּאratherבְּאֵשׁby the fire ofתַּבְעֵרָהTaberahמֵתוּ;they diedוּרְאוּיִיםand deservingהָיוּthey wereלְכָךְof thisמִסִּינַי,from Sinaiדִּכְתִיבas it is written"וַיֶּחֱזוּAnd they beheldאֶת—הָאֱלֹהִים"Godשםthereכ"ד24—שֶׁנָּהֲגוּfor they behaved withקַלּוּתlightness ofרֹאשׁheadכְּנוֹשֵׁךְlike one who bitesפִּתּוֹhis breadוּמְדַבֵּרand speaksבִּפְנֵיbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְ,the kingוְזֶהוּand this is"וַיֹּאכְלוּand they ateוַיִּשְׁתּוּ",and drankוְלֹאand notרָצָהdid wantהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heלִתֵּןto giveאֲבֵלוּתmourningבְּמַתַּןat the giving ofתּוֹרָהTorahוּפָרַעand He punishedלָהֶםthemכָּאןhereתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרWhomידעתyou knowכיthatהםtheyוגו'.etc.אוֹתָןthoseשֶׁאַתָּהwhom youמַכִּירrecognizeשֶׁנִּתְמַנּוּwho were appointedעֲלֵיהֶםover themשׁוֹטְרִיםofficersבְּמִצְרַיִםin Egyptבַּעֲבוֹדַתin the labor ofפֶּרֶךְbackbreaking workוְהָיוּand they wereמְרַחֲמִיםhaving mercyעֲלֵיהֶםupon themוּמֻכִּיםand were beatenעַלonיָדָם,their accountשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיֻּכּוּand were beatenשֹׁטְרֵיthe officers ofבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל"IsraelשמותShemosה'chapter 5,עַתָּהnowיִתְמַנּוּthey shall be appointedבִגְדֻלָּתָןin their greatnessכְּדֶרֶךְjust asשֶׁנִּצְטַעֲרוּthey sufferedבְּצָרָתָןin their distressעי'seeספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ולקחתAnd you shall takeאתם.themקָחֵםtake themבִּדְבָרִים,with words"אַשְׁרֵיכֶם"fortunate are youשֶׁנִּתְמַנִּיתֶםthat you are appointedפַּרְנָסִיםleadersעַלoverבָּנָיוthe childrenשֶׁלofמָקוֹם":the Omnipresent"

רַשִׁ״י

והתיצבוAnd they shall standשםthereעמך.with youכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּרְאוּthat they shall seeיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְיִנְהֲגוּand they shall treatבָהֶםthem withגְּדֻלָּהgreatnessוְכָבוֹד,and honorוְיֹאמְרוּand they will sayחֲבִיבִיןbeloved areאֵלּוּtheseשֶׁנִּכְנְסוּwho enteredעִםwithמֹשֶׁהMosheלִשְׁמֹעַto hearדִּבּוּרthe Divine utteranceמִפִּיfrom the mouth ofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneשםthere:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וְיָרַדְתִּיAnd I will descendוְדִבַּרְתִּיand I will speakעִמְּךָwith youשָׁםthereוְאָצַלְתִּיand I will increaseמִןfromהָרוּחַthe spiritאֲשֶׁרwhichעָלֶיךָis upon youוְשַׂמְתִּיand I will placeעֲלֵיהֶםupon themוְנָשְׂאוּand they shall bearאִתְּךָwith youבְּמַשָּׂאin the burden ofהָעָםthe peopleוְלֹאand notתִשָּׂאshall you bearאַתָּהyouלְבַדֶּךָ׃alone

רַשִׁ״י

וירדתי.And I will descendזוֹthisאַחַתis oneמֵעֶשֶׂרof tenיְרִידוֹתdescentsהַכְּתוּבוֹתwrittenבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ודברתיAnd I will speakעמך.with youוְלֹאand notעִמָּהֶםwith themשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ואצלתי.And I shall separateכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its translation"וַאֲרַבֵּי",and I shall increaseכְּמוֹlike"וְאֶלand toאֲצִילֵיthe nobles ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְֹרָאֵל"YisraelשמותShemosכ"ד24:

רַשִׁ״י

ושמתיAnd I will putעליהם.upon themלְמָהto whatמֹשֶׁהMosheדוֹמֶהis comparableבְאוֹתָהּat thatשָׁעָה?momentלְנֵרto a lampשֶׁמּוּנַחthat is placedעַלuponגַּבֵּיtop ofמְנוֹרָהa candelabraוְהַכֹּלand everyoneמַדְלִיקִיןlightsהֵימֶנּוּfrom itוְאֵיןand there is notאוֹרוֹits lightחָסֵרdiminishedכְּלוּםat allספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ונשאוand they shall bearאתך.with youהַתְנֵהstipulateעִמָּהֶםwith themעַלonמְנָתconditionשֶׁיְּקַבְּלוּthat they acceptעֲלֵיהֶםupon themselvesטֹרַחthe burden ofבָּנַי,my childrenשֶׁהֵםfor they areטַרְחָנִיםtroublesomeוְסַרְבָנִיםand refractoryשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notתשאyou shall bearאתהyouלבדך.aloneהֲרֵיbeholdתְשׁוּבָהan answerלְמַהto whatשֶּׁאָמַרְתָּthat you saidלֹאnotאוּכַלwill I be ableאָנֹכִיIלְבַדִּי:alone

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וְאֶלAnd toהָעָםthe peopleתֹּאמַרyou shall sayהִתְקַדְּשׁוּprepare yourselvesלְמָחָרfor tomorrowוַאֲכַלְתֶּםand you shall eatבָּשָׂרmeatכִּיbecauseבְּכִיתֶםyou have weptבְּאָזְנֵיin the ears ofיְהוָהHashemלֵאמֹרsayingמִיWhoיַאֲכִלֵנוּwill feed usבָּשָׂרmeatכִּיforטוֹבit was goodלָנוּfor usבְּמִצְרָיִםin Mitzrayimוְנָתַןand He will giveיְהוָהHashemלָכֶםto youבָּשָׂרmeatוַאֲכַלְתֶּם׃and you shall eat

רַשִׁ״י

התקדשו.prepare yourselvesהַזְמִינוּprepareעַצְמְכֶםyourselvesלְפֻרְעָנוּת,for punishmentוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysירמיהוYirmeyahuי"בtwelve"וְהַקְדִּשֵׁםand prepare themלְיוֹםfor the day ofהֲרֵגָה"slaughterספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

לֹאNotיוֹםdayאֶחָדoneתֹּאכְלוּןshall you eatוְלֹאand notיוֹמָיִםtwo daysוְלֹאand notחֲמִשָּׁהfiveיָמִיםdaysוְלֹאand notעֲשָׂרָהtenיָמִיםdaysוְלֹאand notעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyיוֹם׃day

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

עַדuntilחֹדֶשׁa month ofיָמִיםdaysעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatיֵצֵאit comes outמֵאַפְּכֶםfrom your nostrilsוְהָיָהand it becomesלָכֶםto youלְזָרָאloathsomeיַעַןbecauseכִּיthatמְאַסְתֶּםyou have rejectedאֶת—יְהוָהHashemאֲשֶׁרWho isבְּקִרְבְּכֶםin your midstוַתִּבְכּוּand you weptלְפָנָיוbefore Himלֵאמֹרsayingלָמָּהwhyזֶּהis this thatיָצָאנוּwe went outמִמִּצְרָיִם׃from Mitzrayim

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilחדשa monthימים.of daysזוֹthisבַכְּשֵׁרִים,regarding the virtuousשֶׁמִּתְמַצִּיןwho languishעַלuponמִטּוֹתֵיהֶןtheir bedsוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatנִשְׁמָתָןtheir soulיוֹצְאָה,departsוּבָרְשָׁעִיםbut regarding the wickedהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"הַבָּשָׂר"the fleshעוֹדֶנּוּwas yetבֵּיןbetweenשִׁנֵּיהֶם"their teeth"פסוקverseל"ג33,כָּךְsoהִיאitשְׁנוּיָהis taughtבְסִפְרֵי,in the Sifreiאֲבָלbutבִּמְכִילְתָּאin the Mechiltaשְׁנוּיָהit is taughtחִלּוּף,the oppositeהָרְשָׁעִיםthe wickedאוֹכְלִיםateוּמִצְטַעֲרִיןand sufferedשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹם,daysוְהַכְּשֵׁרִיםand the virtuousהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshעוֹדֶנּוּwas yetבֵּיןbetweenשִׁנֵּיהֶםtheir teethעי'seeיומאYomaע"ה75b:

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilאשרthatיצאit comes outמאפכם.from your noseכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targum"דִיthatתְקוֹצוּןyou will loatheבֵּיהּ",itיְהֵאit will beדוֹמֶהsimilarלָכֶםto youכְּאִלּוּas ifאֲכַלְתֶּםyou ateמִמֶּנּוּfrom itיוֹתֵרmoreמִדַּאיthan enoughעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹצֵאthat it goes outוְנִגְעָלand is rejectedלַחוּץto the outsideדֶּרֶךְby way ofהָאָף:the nose

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd it shall beלכםto youלזרא.for a loathingשֶׁתִּהְיוּthat you will beמְרַחֲקִיןdistancingאוֹתוֹitיוֹתֵרmoreמִמַּהthan whatשֶּׁקֵּרַבְתֶּם,that you brought nearוּבְדִבְרֵיAnd in the words ofרַבִּיRabbiמֹשֶׁהMosheהַדַּרְשָׁןthe PreacherרָאִיתִיI sawשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isלָשׁוֹןa languageשֶׁקּוֹרִיןthat they callלַחֶרֶבthe swordזָרָא:zara

רַשִׁ״י

את—ה'HashemאשרWhoבקרבכם.is in your midstאִםIfלֹאnotשֶׁנָּטַעְתִּיthat I plantedשְׁכִינָתִיMy Shechinahבֵינֵיכֶם,among youלֹאnotגָבַהּwould have grown haughtyלְבַבְכֶםyour heartלִכָּנֵסto enterלְכָלinto allהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersהַלָּלוּtheseספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidמֹשֶׁהMosheשֵׁשׁsixמֵאוֹתhundredאֶלֶףthousandרַגְלִיfoot soldiersהָעָםthe peopleאֲשֶׁרwhomאָנֹכִיIבְּקִרְבּוֹam in their midstוְאַתָּהand Youאָמַרְתָּhave saidבָּשָׂרmeatאֶתֵּןI will giveלָהֶםto themוְאָכְלוּand they will eatחֹדֶשׁa monthיָמִים׃of days

רַשִׁ״י

ששSixמאותhundredאלףthousandרגלי.footmenלֹאhe did notחָשׁcareלִמְנוֹתto countאֶת—הַפְּרָטthe exact remainderשְׁלֹשֶׁתthe threeאֲלָפִיםthousandהַיְתֵרִים;extraוְרַבִּיand RabbiמֹשֶׁהMosheהַדַּרְשָׁןthe Preacherפֵּרֵשׁ,explainedשֶׁלֹּאthat notבָכוּweptאֶלָּאexceptאוֹתָןthoseשֶׁיָּצְאוּwho went outמִמִּצְרַיִם:from Mitzrayim

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

הֲצֹאןCan flocksוּבָקָרand herdsיִשָּׁחֵטbe slaughteredלָהֶםfor themוּמָצָאand it will sufficeלָהֶםfor themאִםor ifאֶת—כָּלallדְּגֵיthe fish ofהַיָּםthe seaיֵאָסֵףbe gatheredלָהֶםfor themוּמָצָאand it will sufficeלָהֶם׃for them

רַשִׁ״י

הצאןShall the flocksובקרand herdsישחט.be slaughteredזֶהThisאֶחָדis oneמֵאַרְבָּעָהof fourדְּבָרִיםthingsשֶׁהָיָהthat wasרַבִּיRabbiעֲקִיבָאAkibaדּוֹרֵשׁinterpretingוְאֵיןand notרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןSimeonדּוֹרֵשׁinterpretingכְּמוֹתוֹ,like himרַבִּיRabbiעֲקִיבָאAkibaאוֹמֵרsaysששSixמאותhundredאלףthousandרגליfootmenואתהand YouאמרתsaidבשרfleshאתןI will giveלהםto themואכלוand they shall eatחדשa monthימיםof daysהצאןshall flocksובקרand herds,הַכֹּלall of itכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ,is literalמִיwhoמַסְפִּיקcan sufficeלָהֶם?for themכָּעִנְיָןin the senseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraכ"ה25"וּמָצָאand he findכְּדֵיsufficient forגְאֻלָּתוֹ".his redemptionוְאֵיזוֹAnd whichקָשָׁה,was worseזוֹthisאוֹorשִׁמְעוּHearנָאnowהַמֹּרִים?ye rebelsאֶלָּאbutלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notאָמַרhe spokeבָּרַבִּים,in publicחִסֵּךְsparedלוֹhimהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureוְלֹאand did notנִפְרַעpunishמִמֶּנּוּ,himוְזוֹbut thisשֶׁלofמְרִיבָהMeribaהָיְתָהwasבְּגָלוּי,in publicלְפִיכָךְthereforeלֹאdid notחִסֵּךְspareלוֹhimהַכָּתוּב;the ScriptureרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןSimeonאוֹמֵר,saysחַסHeaven forbidוְשָׁלוֹם,and peaceלֹאdid notעָלְתָהenterעַלuponדַּעְתּוֹthe mindשֶׁלofאוֹתוֹthatצַדִיקrighteous manכָּךְ,thusמִיHeשֶׁכָּתוּבof whom it is writtenבּוֹconcerning him"בְּכָלIn allבֵּיתִיMy houseנֶאֱמָןtrustedהוּא"he isבמדברBamidbarי"ב12יֹאמַרwould he sayאֵיןis notהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentמַסְפִּיקable to sufficeלָנוּ?for usאֶלָּאratherכָּךְthusאָמַר,he saidששSixמאותhundredאלףthousandרגליfootmenוגו'etcואתהand YouאמרתsaidבשרfleshאתןI will giveלְחֹדֶשׁfor a monthיָמִים,of daysוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatתַּהֲרֹגYou will killאֻמָּהa nationגְדוֹלָהgreatכָּזוֹ,as thisהצאןShall flocksובקרand herdsישחטbe slaughteredלהםfor themכְּדֵיso thatשֶׁיֵּהָרְגוּthey should be killedוּתְהִיand should beאֲכִילָהeatingזוֹthisמַסְפַּקְתָּןtheir sufficiencyעַדuntilעוֹלָם?foreverוְכִיIs indeedשִׁבְחֲךָYour praiseהוּאthisזֶה?is thisאוֹמְרִיםDo they sayלוֹto himלַחֲמוֹרto an assטֹלtakeכֹּרa korשְׂעוֹרִיםof barleyוְנַחְתֹּךְand we will cut offרֹאשְׁךָ?your headהֱשִׁיבוֹanswered himהַקָּבָּ"ה,the Holy One Blessed is HeוְאִםAnd ifלֹאnotאֶתֵּןI will giveיֹאמְרוּthey will sayשֶׁקָּצְרָהthat is shortיָדִי,My handהֲטוֹבIs it goodבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesשֶׁיַּדthat the hand ofה'Hashemתִּקְצַרshould be shortבְּעֵינֵיהֶם?in their eyesיֹאבְדוּLet perishהֵםtheyוּמֵאָהand a hundredכַּיּוֹצֵאlikeבָהֶםthemוְאַלand let notתְּהִיbeיָדִיMy handקְצָרָהshortלִפְנֵיהֶםbefore themאֲפִלּוּevenשָׁעָהfor a momentאַחַת:single

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheהֲיַדIs the hand ofיְהוָהHashemתִּקְצָרlimitedעַתָּהnowתִרְאֶהyou will seeהֲיִקְרְךָwhether will happen to youדְבָרִיMy wordאִםorלֹא׃not

רַשִׁ״י

עתהNowתראהyou shall seeהיקרךwhether will happen to youדברי.My wordרַבָּןRabbanגַּמְלִיאֵלGamlielבְּנוֹthe sonשֶׁלofרַבִּיRabbiיְהוּדָהYehudahהַנָּשִׂיאthe Nasiאוֹמֵר,saysאִיit is impossibleאֶפְשָׁר·לַעֲמֹדto standעַלuponהַטָּפֵל,the babblerמֵאַחַרsinceשֶׁאֵינָןthat they do notמְבַקְשִׁיםseekאֶלָּאexceptעֲלִילָה,a pretextלֹאnotתַסְפִּיקwill you satisfyלָהֶם,themסוֹפָןtheir endלָדוּןis to argueאַחֲרֶיךָ:after YouאִםifאַתָּהYouנוֹתֵןgiveלָהֶםthemבְּשַׂרflesh ofבְּהֵמָהanimalגַסָּה,largeיֹאמְרוּthey will sayדַּקָּהsmallבִקַּשְׁנוּ,we requestedוְאִםand ifאַתָּהYouנוֹתֵןgiveלָהֶםthemדַּקָּה,smallיֹאמְרוּthey will sayגַּסָּהlargeבִקַּשְׁנוּ,we requestedחַיָּהwild beastוָעוֹףand fowlבִּקַּשְׁנוּ,we requestedדָּגִיםfishוַחֲגָבִיםand locustsבִּקַּשְׁנוּ,we requestedאָמַרHe saidלוֹ,to himאִםifכֵּןsoיֹאמְרוּthey will sayשֶׁקָּצְרָהthat is shortיָדִי,My handאָמַרHe saidלְפָנָיו,before Himהֲרֵינִיbehold I amהוֹלֵךְgoingוּמְפַיְּסָן,and appeasing themאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himעתהNowתראהyou shall seeהיקרךwhether will happen to youדבריMy word—שֶׁלֹּאfor notיִשְׁמְעוּwill they listenלְךָ.to youהָלַךְwentמֹשֶׁהMosheלְפַיְּסָן,to appease themאָמַרhe saidלָהֶםto themהידIs the hand ofה'Hashemתקצרwaxed short,"הֵןBeholdהִכָּהHe smoteצוּרa rockוַיָּזוּבוּand gushed outמַיִםwatersוְגוֹ'etc.הֲגַםsurely alsoלֶחֶםbreadיוּכַלHe canתֵּת"giveתהליםTehillimע"ח78,אָמְרוּ,They saidפְּשָׁרָהa compromiseהִיאisזוֹ,thisאֵיןthere is notבּוֹin Himכֹּחַpowerלְמַלֹּאותto fulfillשְׁאֵלָתֵנוּ;our requestוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidויצאAnd went outמשהMosheוידברand spokeאלtoהעםthe people,כֵּיוָןSinceשֶׁלֹּאthat notשָׁמְעוּdid they listenלוֹ,to himויאסףand he gatheredשבעיםseventyאישmenוגו'etc.עי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וַיֵּצֵאAnd went outמֹשֶׁהMosheוַיְדַבֵּרand he spokeאֶלtoהָעָםthe peopleאֵת—דִּבְרֵיthe words ofיְהוָהHashemוַיֶּאֱסֹףand he gatheredשִׁבְעִיםseventyאִישׁmenמִזִּקְנֵיfrom the elders ofהָעָםthe peopleוַיַּעֲמֵדand he stoodאֹתָםthemסְבִיבֹתaroundהָאֹהֶל׃the Tent

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיֵּרֶדAnd He descendedיְהוָהHashemבֶּעָנָןin the cloudוַיְדַבֵּרand He spokeאֵלָיוto himוַיָּאצֶלand He drewמִןfromהָרוּחַthe spiritאֲשֶׁרthatעָלָיוwas upon himוַיִּתֵּןand He placedעַלuponשִׁבְעִיםseventyאִישׁmenהַזְּקֵנִיםthe eldersוַיְהִיand it wasכְּנוֹחַas restedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themהָרוּחַthe spiritוַיִּתְנַבְּאוּand they prophesiedוְלֹאand notיָסָפוּ׃did they cease

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd they did notיספו.continueלֹאnotנִתְנַבְּאוּdid they prophesyאֶלָּאexceptאוֹתוֹthatהַיּוֹםdayלְבַדּוֹ,aloneכָּךְsoמְפֹרָשׁis it explainedבְּסִפְרֵי,in Sifreiוְאֻנְקְלוֹסand Onkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslated"וְלָאand notפָסְקִין",did they ceaseשֶׁלֹּאthat notפָסְקָהdid ceaseנְבוּאָהprophecyמֵהֶם:from them

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַיִּשָּׁאֲרוּAnd there remainedשְׁנֵיtwoאֲנָשִׁיםmenבַּמַּחֲנֶהin the campשֵׁםthe name ofהָאֶחָדthe oneאֶלְדָּדEldadוְשֵׁםand the name ofהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondמֵידָדMedadוַתָּנַחand restedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themהָרוּחַthe spiritוְהֵמָּהand theyבַּכְּתֻבִיםwere among those writtenוְלֹאbut notיָצְאוּdid they go outהָאֹהֱלָהto the Tentוַיִּתְנַבְּאוּand they prophesiedבַּמַּחֲנֶה׃in the camp

רַשִׁ״י

וישארוAnd there remainedשניtwoאנשים.menמֵאוֹתָןfrom thoseשֶׁנִּבְחֲרוּ,that were chosenאָמְרוּthey saidאֵיןnotאָנוּare weכְּדַאיworthyלִגְדֻלָּהof greatnessזוֹthisעי'seeסנהדריןSanhedrinי"ז17:

רַשִׁ״י

והמהAnd they wereבכתבים.among those writtenבַּמְבֹרָרִיםamong the selectedשֶׁבָּהֶםof themלְסַנְהֶדְרִין,for the Sanhedrinוְנִכְתְּבוּand they were writtenכֻלָּםall of themנְקוּבִיםdesignatedבְּשֵׁמוֹתby namesוְעַ"יְand by means ofגּוֹרָל,lotלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהַחֶשְׁבּוֹןthat the calculationעוֹלֶהcomes outלְי"בfor twelveשְׁבָטִיםtribesשִׁשָּׁהsixשִׁשָּׁהsixלְכָלfor eachשֵׁבֶטtribeוָשֵׁבֶט,and tribeחוּץexceptמִשְּׁנֵיfrom twoשְׁבָטִיםtribesשֶׁאֵיןthat there does notמַגִּיעַreachאֲלֵיהֶםto themאֶלָּאbutחֲמִשָּׁהfiveחֲמִשָּׁה,fiveאָמַרsaidמֹשֶׁהMosheאֵיןnoשֵׁבֶטtribeשׁוֹמֵעַwill listenלִיto meלִפְחוֹתto reduceמִשִּׁבְטוֹfrom his tribeזָקֵןelderאֶחָד,oneמֶהwhatעָשָׂה,did he doנָטַלhe tookע"בseventy-twoפְתָקִיןslipsוְכָתַבand wroteעַלonשִׁבְעִיםseventy"זָקֵן"Elderוְעַלand onשְׁנַיִםtwoחָלָקblankוּבֵרֵרand he selectedמִכָּלfrom eachשֵׁבֶטtribeוָשֵׁבֶטand tribeשִׁשָּה,sixוְהָיוּand they wereע"ב,seventy-twoאָמַרhe saidלָהֶם,to themטְלוּdrawפִתְקֵיכֶםyour slipsמִתּוֹךְfrom withinקַלְפִּי,the urnמִיwhoeverשֶׁעָלָהthat came upבְיָדוֹin his hand"זָקֵן"Elderנִתְקַדֵּשׁ,was sanctifiedמִיwhoeverשֶׁעָלָהthat came upבְיָדוֹin his handחָלָקblankאָמַרhe saidלוֹ,to himהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentלֹאnotחָפֵץdesiresבָּךְyouספרי;SifreiסנהדריןSanhedrinי"ז17:

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וַיָּרָץAnd ranהַנַּעַרthe youthוַיַּגֵּדand he toldלְמֹשֶׁהto Mosheוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאֶלְדָּדEldadוּמֵידָדand Medadמִתְנַבְּאִיםare prophesyingבַּמַּחֲנֶה׃in the camp

רַשִׁ״י

וירץAnd there ranהנער.the ladיֵ"אsome sayגֵּרְשׁוֹםGershomבֶּןthe son ofמֹשֶׁהMosheהָיָהhe wasעי'seeילקוטYalkut:

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וַיַּעַןAnd answeredיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבִּןson ofנוּןNunמְשָׁרֵתattendant ofמֹשֶׁהMosheמִבְּחֻרָיוfrom his youthוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאֲדֹנִיmy lordמֹשֶׁהMosheכְּלָאֵם׃restrain them

רַשִׁ״י

כלאם.imprison themהַטֵּלcastעֲלֵיהֶםupon themצָרְכֵיthe needs ofצִבּוּרthe communityוְהֵםand theyכָּלִיםwill ceaseמֵאֲלֵיהֶם;on their ownדָּ"אַ,another explanationתְּנֵםput themאֶלintoבֵּיתthe house ofהַכֶּלֶא,imprisonmentלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereמִתְנַבְּאִיםprophesyingמֹשֶׁהMosheמֵתdiesוִיהוֹשֻׁעַand Yehoshuaמַכְנִיסbrings inאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלָאָרֶץto the Landעי'seeספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidלוֹto himמֹשֶׁהMosheהַמְקַנֵּאAre you zealousאַתָּהyouלִיfor meוּמִיand would thatיִתֵּןit were givenכָּלall ofעַםthe people ofיְהוָהHashemנְבִיאִיםwere prophetsכִּיthatיִתֵּןwould placeיְהוָהHashemאֶת—רוּחוֹHis spiritעֲלֵיהֶם׃upon them

רַשִׁ״י

המקנאAre you zealousאתהyouלי.for meהֲקִנְאָתִיis it my jealousyאַתָּהthat youמְקַנֵּא:are envying

רַשִׁ״י

לי.for meכְּמוֹis likeבִּשְׁבִילִי;for my sakeכָּלeveryלְשׁוֹןexpression ofקִנְאָהzealאָדָםa personהַנּוֹתֵןwho placesלֵבheartעַלuponהַדָּבָר,the matterאוֹeitherלִנְקֹם,to take vengeanceאוֹorלַעֲזֹר,to helpאנפר"מנטenforcementבְּלַעַז,in foreign tongueאוֹחֵזhe holdsבְּעֹבִיby the thickness ofהַמַּשָּׂא:the burden

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the pesukim of 'Vayehi binsoa ha'aron' and Moshe's tefillos. It then describes the complaints of the mis'onanim, the fire at Taberah, and the people's weeping over the manna, which Moshe Rabbeinu feels he cannot bear alone. Hashem commands Moshe to gather seventy elders to share his burden and promises to provide an overwhelming amount of meat for a month. When the Ruach Hakodesh rests upon the elders, Eldad and Medad also prophesy inside the camp, prompting Yehoshua to ask Moshe to restrain them, to which Moshe responds with beautiful humility, wishing that all of Hashem's people could be nevi'im.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this parshah, we see a painful picture of the human heart. The Bnei Yisrael are eating the manna, a miraculous bread from heaven that fell on a clean layer of dew and tasted like rich cream. Yet, they weep. They look back at Egypt, remembering the fish they ate "free"—which Chazal teach us means free from mitzvos—and they complain that their souls are dried up. When we let our desires run our lives, even the most beautiful, miraculous blessings from Hashem start to look dry and boring. The yetzer hara makes us focus on what we do not have, turning our hearts cold to the daily miracles right in front of us.

Look at how Moshe Rabbeinu responds when Yehoshua worries about Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp. Yehoshua wants to protect Moshe's honor, but Moshe says, "Would that all Hashem's people were prophets!" Moshe teaches us the ultimate lesson in ayin tova, a good eye. He does not care about his own honor or status; he only wants to see the neshama of every single Yid rise to its highest potential. He shows us that true greatness means wanting everyone else to succeed, even if it seems to overshadow us.

Today, catch yourself when you start to complain about what is missing in your life, or when you feel a pinch of jealousy at someone else's spiritual or material success. Instead of letting that coldness creep in, choose to see the "manna" in your life with fresh eyes and celebrate the good fortune of another Yid.

Before you go to sleep tonight, write down or say out loud three specific, daily miracles Hashem did for you today, and thank Him for them with real joy.