Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this final aliyah of Parshas Beha'alotcha, we learn about the tragic aftermath of the people's lust for meat and the severe plague that struck them at Kibros Hattaavah. Hashem sent a wind that brought an overwhelming abundance of quail, but their improper craving brought His anger upon them, leading to the burial of those who lusted before the camp journeyed onward to Chatzeros.

We then learn about the painful episode where Miriam and Aaron spoke about their brother Moshe Rabbeinu regarding his separation from his wife. Hashem immediately intervened to defend the honor of His most faithful servant, emphasizing Moshe's unparalleled level of prophecy and his supreme humility, which stood far above any other person on earth.

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

וַיֵּאָסֵףAnd he gatheredמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campהוּאheוְזִקְנֵיand the elders ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ויאסףAnd gatheredמשה.Mosheמִפֶּתַחfrom the entrance ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד:Meeting

רַשִׁ״י

אלintoהמחנה.the campנִכְנְסוּthey enteredאִישׁeach manלְאָהֳלוֹ:to his tent

רַשִׁ״י

ויאסף.And he gatheredלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofכְּנִיסָהbringing inאֶלtoהַבַּיִת,the houseכְּמוֹas in"וַאֲסַפְתּוֹand you shall gather itאֶלintoתּוֹךְthe midst ofבֵּיתֶךָ"your houseדבריםDevarimכב,22ב2,וְאָבand the fatherלְכֻלָּםof them all"יִצְבֹּרhe heaps upוְלֹאand notיֵדַעdoes he knowמִיwhoאֹסְפָם"will gather themתהליםTehillimלט,39ז7,מְלַמֵּדthis teachesשֶׁלֹאthat notהֵבִיאdid He bringעֲלֵיהֶםupon themפֻּרְעָנוּתpunishmentעַדuntilשֶׁנִּכְנְסוּthat enteredהַצַּדִּיקִיםthe righteous menאִישׁeach manלְאָהֳלוֹto his tentספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וְרוּחַAnd a windנָסַעjourneyedמֵאֵתfromיְהוָהHashemוַיָּגָזand it sweptשַׂלְוִיםquailמִןfromהַיָּםthe seaוַיִּטֹּשׁand it spreadעַלoverהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campכְּדֶרֶךְlike a journey ofיוֹםa dayכֹּהhereוּכְדֶרֶךְand like a journey ofיוֹםa dayכֹּהthereסְבִיבוֹתall aroundהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campוּכְאַמָּתַיִםand about two cubitsעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

ויגז.and he caused to flyוַיַּפְרִיחַ,and he blewוְכֵןand so"כִּיforגָזit flies awayחִישׁ"quicklyתהיליםTehillimצ'90,וְכֵןand so"נָגוֹזּוּthey shall fly offוְעָבָר"and it shall pass awayנחוםNachumא'1:

רַשִׁ״י

ויטש.and he spreadוַיַּפְשֵׁט,and he spreadכְּמוֹlike"וְהִנֵּהand beholdנְטֻשִׁיםspread outעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofכָלallהָאָרֶץ"the earthשמואלShmuelאAlephל'chapter 30,"וּנְטַשְׁתִּיךָand I will cast youהַמִּדְבָּרָה"into the wildernessיחזקאלYechezkelכ"טchapter 29:

רַשִׁ״י

וכאמתים.And about two cubitsפּוֹרְחוֹתthey were flyingבַּגֹּבַהּ,at a heightעַדuntilשֶׁהֵןthat they wereכְּנֶגֶדoppositeלִבּוֹthe heartשֶׁלofאָדָם,a manכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאthere should beטוֹרֵחַtroubleבַּאֲסִיפָתָןin gathering themלֹאneitherלְהַגְבִּיהַּto stretch upwardsוְלֹאnorלִשְׁחוֹתto bend downספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיָּקָםAnd aroseהָעָםthe peopleכָּלallהַיּוֹםthe dayהַהוּאthatוְכָלand allהַלַּיְלָהthe nightוְכֹלand allיוֹםthe day ofהַמָּחֳרָתthe morrowוַיַּאַסְפוּand they gatheredאֶת—הַשְּׂלָוthe quailהַמַּמְעִיטthe one gathering leastאָסַףgatheredעֲשָׂרָהtenחֳמָרִיםchomersוַיִּשְׁטְחוּand they spreadלָהֶםfor themselvesשָׁטוֹחַa spreadingסְבִיבוֹתall aroundהַמַּחֲנֶה׃the camp

רַשִׁ״י

הממעיט.the one who gathered leastמִיwhoשֶׁאוֹסֵףthat gatheredפָּחוֹתlessמִכֻּלָּם,than all of themהָעֲצֵלִיםthe indolentוְהַחִגְּרִים,and the lameאסףgatheredעשרהtenחמריםhomersשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

וישטחו.And they spreadעָשׂוּthey madeאוֹתָןthemמַשְׁטִיחִיןinto layersמַשְׁטִיחִיןupon layersשםthere:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

הַבָּשָׂרThe meatעוֹדֶנּוּwas stillבֵּיןbetweenשִׁנֵּיהֶםtheir teethטֶרֶםbeforeיִכָּרֵתit was chewedוְאַףand the anger ofיְהוָהHashemחָרָהflaredבָעָםagainst the peopleוַיַּךְand struckיְהוָהHashemבָּעָםamong the peopleמַכָּהa plagueרַבָּהsevereמְאֹד׃very

רַשִׁ״י

טרםBeforeיכרת.it was cut offכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its translation"עַד"untilלָאnotפְסַק";it ceased"דָּ"אַ,another explanationאֵינוֹhe does notמַסְפִּיקhave timeלְפָסְקוֹto bite itבְּשִׁנָּיוwith his teethעַדbeforeשֶׁנִּשְׁמָתוֹthat his soulיוֹצְאָה:departs

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיִּקְרָאAnd he calledאֶת—שֵׁםthe name ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַהוּאthatקִבְרוֹתKivrosהַתַּאֲוָהHata'avahכִּיbecauseשָׁםthereקָבְרוּthey buriedאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleהַמִּתְאַוִּים׃who craved

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

מִקִּבְרוֹתFrom the graves ofהַתַּאֲוָהthe cravingנָסְעוּjourneyedהָעָםthe peopleחֲצֵרוֹתto Chatzerosוַיִּהְיוּand they wereבַּחֲצֵרוֹת׃in Chatzeros

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַתְּדַבֵּרAnd she spokeמִרְיָםMiriamוְאַהֲרֹןand Aaronבְּמֹשֶׁהagainst Mosheעַלonאֹדוֹתaccount ofהָאִשָּׁהthe womanהַכֻּשִׁיתthe Cushiteאֲשֶׁרwhomלָקָחhe marriedכִּיforאִשָּׁהa womanכֻשִׁיתCushiteלָקָח׃he married

רַשִׁ״י

ותדבר.And she spokeאֵיןthere is noדִּבּוּרspeakingבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceאֶלָּאexceptלָשׁוֹןa language ofקָשָׁה,harshnessוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"דִּבֶּרspokeהָאִישׁthe manאֲדֹנֵיthe lord ofהָאָרֶץthe landאִתָּנוּwith usקָשׁוֹת"roughlyבראשיתBereishisמ"ב42,וְאֵיןand there is noאֲמִירָהsayingבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceאֶלָּאexceptלְשׁוֹןa language ofתַּחֲנוּנִים,supplicationוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"וַיֹּאמַרand he saidאַלdo notנָאpleaseאַחַיmy brothersתָּרֵעוּ"do evilבראשיתBereishisי"ט19,"וַיֹּאמֶרand He saidשִׁמְעוּhearנָאpleaseדְבָרָי"My wordsפסוקverseו6,כָּלeveryנָאpleaseלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofבַּקָּשָׁהrequestספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ותדברAnd she spokeמריםMiriamואהרן.and Aaronהִיאsheפָתְחָהopenedבְדִּבּוּרwith the speakingתְּחִלָּה,firstלְפִיכָךְthereforeהִקְדִּימָהּplaced her firstהַכָּתוּב,the verseוּמִנַּיִןand from whereהָיְתָהwas sheיוֹדַעַתknowingמִרְיָםMiriamשֶׁפֵּרֵשׁthat separatedמֹשֶׁהMosheמִןfromהָאִשָּׁה?the womanרַבִּיRabbiנָתָןNatanאוֹמֵרsaysמִרְיָםMiriamהָיְתָהwasבְצַדbesideצִפּוֹרָהZipporahבְּשָׁעָהat the hourשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it was toldלְמֹשֶׁהto MosheאֶלְדָּדEldadוּמֵידָדand Medadמִתְנַבְּאִיםare prophesyingבַּמַּחֲנֶה,in the campכֵּיוָןonceשֶׁשָּׁמְעָהthat she heardצִפּוֹרָה,Zipporahאָמְרָהshe saidאוֹיwoeלְנְשׁוֹתֵיהֶןto the wivesשֶׁלofאֵלּוּtheseאִםifהֵםtheyנִזְקָקִיםare neededלִנְבוּאָה,for prophecyשֶׁיִּהְיוּfor they willפוֹרְשִׁיןbe separatingמִנְּשׁוֹתֵיהֶןfrom their wivesכְּדֶרֶךְjust asשֶׁפֵּרֵשׁthat separatedבַּעְלִיmy husbandמִמֶּנִּי,from meוּמִשָּׁםand from thereיָדְעָהknewמִרְיָםMiriamוְהִגִּידָהand she toldלְאַהֲרֹן;to Aaronוּמַהand whatמִּרְיָםMiriamשֶׁלֹּאwho did notנִתְכַּוְּנָהintendלִגְנוּתוֹfor his disparagementכָּךְthusנֶעֶנְשָׁה,was punishedקַלhow muchוָחֹמֶרthe more soלִמְסַפֵּרfor one who speaksבִּגְנוּתוֹin the disparagementשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

האשהThe womanהכשית.the Cushiteמַגִּידteachesשֶׁהַכֹּלthat everyoneמוֹדִיםagreedבְּיָפְיָהּto her beautyכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁהַכֹּלthat everyoneמוֹדִיםagreedבְּשַׁחֲרוּתוֹto the blacknessשֶׁלofכּוּשִׁיa Cushiteשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

כושית.Cushiteבְּגִימַטְרִיָּאin gematriaיְפַתof beautifulמַרְאֶה:appearance

רַשִׁ״י

עלOnאדותaccount ofהאשה.the womanעַלbecause ofאוֹדוֹתthe matter ofגֵּרוּשֶׁיהָ:her divorce

רַשִׁ״י

כיforאשהa womanכשיתCushiteלקח.he marriedמַהwhatתַּ"ל?does the teaching sayאֶלָּאbutיֵשׁthere isלְךְto youאִשָּׁהa womanנָאָהbeautifulבְּיָפְיָהּin her beautyוְאֵיןand notנָאָהbeautifulבְמַעֲשֶׂיהָ,in her deedsבְּמַעֲשֶׂיהָin her deedsוְלֹאand notבְיָפְיָהּ,in her beautyאֲבָלbutזֹאתthis oneנָאָהwas beautifulבַכֹּל:in everything

רַשִׁ״י

האשהThe womanהכשית.the Cushiteעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofנוֹיָהּher beautyנִקְרֵאתshe was calledכּוּשִׁית,Cushiteכְּאָדָםlike a personהַקּוֹרֵאwho callsאֶת—בְּנוֹhis sonנָאֶהhandsomeכּוּשִׁי,Cushiteכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִּשְׁלֹטwill ruleבּוֹover himעַיִןan eyeרָעָה:evil

רַשִׁ״י

כיforאשהa womanכשיתCushiteלקח.he had marriedוְעַתָּהand nowגֵּרְשָׁהּ:he divorced her

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיֹּאמְרוּAnd they saidהֲרַקIs it onlyאַךְindeedבְּמֹשֶׁהthrough MosheדִּבֶּרspokeיְהוָהHashemהֲלֹאis it notגַּםalsoבָּנוּthrough usדִבֵּרHe spokeוַיִּשְׁמַעand heardיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

הרקIs it onlyאך.indeedעִמּוֹwith himלְבַדּוֹaloneדִּבֶּרhas spokenה':Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

הלאIs it notגםalsoבנו.with usוְלֹאand notפֵרַשְׁנוּdid we separateמִדֶּרֶךְfrom the way ofאֶרֶץthe earthספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וְהָאִישׁAnd the manמֹשֶׁהMosheענוwas humbleעָנָיוexceedinglyמְאֹדveryמִכֹּלmore than allהָאָדָםthe menאֲשֶׁרwhoעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהָאֲדָמָה׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

ענו.humbleשָׁפָלlowlyוְסַבְלָן:and patient

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemפִּתְאֹםsuddenlyאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלand toאַהֲרֹןAharonוְאֶלand toמִרְיָםMiryamצְאוּgo outשְׁלָשְׁתְּכֶםthe three of youאֶלtoאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵדMeetingוַיֵּצְאוּand they went outשְׁלָשְׁתָּם׃the three of them

רַשִׁ״י

פתאם.SuddenlyנִגְלָהHe revealed Himselfעֲלֵיהֶםto themפִּתְאֹםsuddenlyוְהֵםand theyטְמֵאִיןwere uncleanבְּדֶרֶךְin the way ofאֶרֶץ,the earthוְהָיוּand they wereצוֹעֲקִיםcrying out"מַיִםwaterמַיִם"waterלְהוֹדִיעָםto inform themשֶׁיָּפֶהthat wellעָשָׂהdidמֹשֶׁהMosheשֶׁפֵּרֵשׁwho separatedמִןfromהָאִשָּׁה,the wifeמֵאַחַרsinceשֶׁנִּגְלֵיתthat reveals Itselfעָלָיוupon himשְׁכִינָהthe Shechinahתָּדִירregularlyוְאֵיןand there is noעֵתtimeקְבוּעָהfixedלַדִּבּוּרfor the communicationעי'seeילקוטYalkut:

רַשִׁ״י

צאוgo outשלשתכם.you threeמַגִּידthis tellsשֶׁשְּׁלָשְׁתָּןthat all three of themנִקְרְאוּwere calledבְדִבּוּרin an utteranceאֶחָדoneמַהwhichשֶּׁאִיis notאֶפְשָׁרpossibleלַפֶּהfor the mouthלוֹמַרto sayוְלָאֹזֶןand for the earלִשְׁמֹעַto hearספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיֵּרֶדAnd descendedיְהוָהHashemבְּעַמּוּדin a pillar ofעָנָןcloudוַיַּעֲמֹדand stoodפֶּתַחat the entrance ofהָאֹהֶלthe Tentוַיִּקְרָאand calledאַהֲרֹןAharonוּמִרְיָםand Miriamוַיֵּצְאוּand they went outשְׁנֵיהֶם׃both of them

רַשִׁ״י

בעמודIn the column ofענן.cloudיָצָאHe went outיְחִידִיaloneשֶׁלֹּאnotכְמִדַּתlike the manner ofבָּשָׂרfleshוָדָם,and bloodמֶלֶךְa king ofבָּשָׂרfleshוָדָםand bloodכְּשֶׁיּוֹצֵאwhen he goes outלַמִּלְחָמָהto warיוֹצֵאhe goes outבְּאֻכְלוּסִיםwith troopsוּכְשֶׁיּוֹצֵאand when he goes outלְשָׁלוֹםfor peaceיוֹצֵאhe goes outבְמוּעָטִין,with fewוּמִדַּתbut the manner ofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be HeיוֹצֵאHe goes outלַמִּלְחָמָהto warיְחִידִי,aloneשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"אִישׁa man ofמִלְחָמָה"warשמותShemosט"ו15,וְיוֹצֵאand He goes outלְשָׁלוֹםfor peaceבְּאֻכְלוּסִין,with hostsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidתהיליםTehillimס"ח68"רֶכֶבThe chariots ofאֱלֹהִיםGodרִבֹּתַיִםare twenty thousandאַלְפֵיthousands ofשִׁנְאָן"peaceful angelsספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ויקראAnd He calledאהרןAaronומרים.and Miriamשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they shouldנִמְשָׁכִיןbe drawnוְיוֹצְאִיןand go outמִןfromהֶחָצֵרthe courtyardלִקְרַאתtowardsהַדִּבּוּר:the Divine Speech

רַשִׁ״י

ויצאוAnd they went outשניהם.both of themוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatמְשָׁכָןdid He draw themוְהִפְרִישָןand separate themמִמֹּשֶׁה?from Mosheלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאוֹמְרִיםthat we sayמִקְצָתa part ofשִׁבְחוֹthe praiseשֶׁלofאָדָםa manבְּפָנָיוin his presenceוְכֻלּוֹand all of itשֶׁלֹּאnotבְּפָנָיו,in his presenceוְכֵןand soמָצִינוּwe foundבְּנֹחַ,by Noachשֶׁלֹאnotבְּפָנָיוin his presenceנֶאֱמַרit is said"אִישׁa manצַדִּיקrighteousתָּמִים"wholeheartedבראשיתBereishisו'chapter 6,וּבְפָנָיוand in his presenceנֶאֱמַרit is said"כִּיforאֹתְךָyouרָאִיתִיI have seenצַדִּיקrighteousלְפָנַי"before Meשםthereז'chapter 7;דָּ"אַ,another explanationשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִשְׁמַעhe should hearבִּנְזִיפָתוֹthe reprimandשֶׁלofאַהֲרֹןAharonספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidשִׁמְעוּhearנָאpleaseדְבָרָיMy wordsאִםifיִהְיֶהthere shall beנְבִיאֲכֶםyour prophetיְהוָהHashemבַּמַּרְאָהin a visionאֵלָיוto himאֶתְוַדָּעI make Myself knownבַּחֲלוֹםin a dreamאֲדַבֶּרI speakבּוֹ׃with him

רַשִׁ״י

שמעוhearנאpleaseדברי.my wordsאֵיןthere is notנָאpleaseאֶלָּאbutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofבַּקָּשָׁהentreatyשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

אםIfיהיהthere will beנביאכם.your prophetאִםifיִהְיוּthere will beלָכֶםto youנְבִיאִים:prophets

רַשִׁ״י

ה'Hashemבמראהin a visionאליוto himאתודע.I make Myself knownשְׁכִינַתthe Shechinah ofשְׁמִיMy Nameאֵיןdoes notנִגְלֵיתreveal itselfעָלָיוupon himבְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָאin a glassהַמְּאִירָהthat is clearאֶלָּאbutבַּחֲלוֹםin a dreamוְחִזָּיוֹן:and a vision

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

לֹאNotכֵןsoעַבְדִּיis My servantמֹשֶׁהMosheבְּכָלin allבֵּיתִיMy houseנֶאֱמָןtrustedהוּא׃he is

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

פֶּהmouthאֶלtoפֶּהmouthאֲדַבֶּרI speakבּוֹwith himוּמַרְאֶהand clearlyוְלֹאand notבְחִידֹתin riddlesוּתְמֻנַתand the likeness ofיְהוָהHashemיַבִּיטhe beholdsוּמַדּוּעַand whyלֹאdid you notיְרֵאתֶםfearלְדַבֵּרto speakבְּעַבְדִּיagainst My servantבְמֹשֶׁה׃against Moshe

רַשִׁ״י

פהMouthאלtoפה.mouthאָמַרְתִּיI saidלוֹto himלִפְרֹשׁto separateמִןfromהָאִשָּׁהthe womanשםthere,וְהֵיכָןand whereאָמַרְתִּיdid I sayלוֹ?to himבְּסִינַיat Sinai—"לֵךְGoאֱמֹרsayלָהֶםto themשׁוּבוּreturnלָכֶםfor yourselvesלְאָהֳלֵיכֶםto your tentsוְאַתָּהand youפֹּהhereעֲמֹדstandעִמָּדִי"with MeדבריםDevarimה'5:

רַשִׁ״י

ומראהAnd in a visionולאand notבחדת.in riddlesמַרְאֶהvisionזֶהthisמַרְאֵהthe appearance ofדִבּוּר,communicationשֶׁאֲנִיthat Iמְפָרֵשׁexplainלוֹto himדִּבּוּרִיMy communicationבְּמַרְאִיתin the appearanceפָּנִיםof faceשֶׁבּוֹ,of itוְאֵינִיand I do notסוֹתְמוֹobscure itלוֹfor himבְחִידוֹת,in riddlesכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidלִיחֶזְקֵאלto YechezkelיחזקאלYechezkelי"זseventeen,"חוּדput forthחִידָה"a riddleוְגוֹ';etceteraיָכוֹלone might thinkמַרְאֵהthe appearance ofשְׁכִינָה?the Shechinahתַּ"לthe Torah teachesשמותShemosל"גthirty-three,"לֹאyou cannotתוּכַלbe ableלִרְאֹתto seeאֶת—פָּנָי"My faceספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

ותמנתand the similitude ofה'Hashemיביט.he did beholdזֶהthisמַרְאֵהthe sight ofאֲחוֹרַיִם,the backכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidשמותShemosל"ג33,"וְרָאִיתָand you shall seeאֶת—אֲחֹרָי"My backספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

בעבדיAgainst My servantבמשה.against MosheאֵינוֹIt does notאוֹמֵרsayבְּעַבְדִּיagainst My servantמֹשֶׁה,Mosheאֶלָּאbut ratherבְּעַבְדִּיagainst My servantבְמֹשֶׁהagainst Moshe—בְּעַבְדִּיagainst My servantאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notמֹשֶׁה,Mosheבְּמֹשֶׁהagainst Mosheאֲפִלּוּeven ifאֵינוֹhe is notעַבְדִּיMy servantכְּדַאיworthyהֱיִיתֶםyou should haveלִירוֹאfearedמִפָּנָיו,before himוְכָלand how muchשֶׁכֵּןmore soשֶׁהוּאthat he isעַבְדִּי,My servantוְעֶבֶדand the servant ofמֶלֶךְa kingמֶלֶךְ,is a kingוְהָיָהand it wasלָכֶםfor youלוֹמַרto sayאֵיןdoes notהַמֶּלֶךְthe Kingאוֹהֲבוֹlove himחִנָּם,for nothingוְאִםand ifתֹּאמְרוּyou will sayאֵינִיI do notמַכִּירknowבְּמַעֲשָׂיוhis deeds—זוֹthisקָשָׁהis worseמִןthanהָרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstשםthere:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיִּחַרAnd flaredאַףthe wrath ofיְהוָהHashemבָּםagainst themוַיֵּלַךְ׃and He departed

רַשִׁ״י

ויחרAnd glowedאףthe wrath ofה'Hashemבםagainst themוילך.and He wentמֵאַחַרafterשֶׁהוֹדִיעָםthat He informed them ofסִרְחוֹנָםtheir offenseגָּזַרHe decreedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themנִדּוּי,excommunicationקַ"וָall the more soלְבָשָׂרfor fleshוָדָם,and bloodשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִכְעֹסshould he display angerעַלagainstחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹדִיעֶנּוּthat he informs him ofסִרְחוֹנוֹhis offenseספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וְהֶעָנָןAnd the cloudסָרdepartedמֵעַלfrom uponהָאֹהֶלthe Tentוְהִנֵּהand beholdמִרְיָםMiriamמְצֹרַעַתwas afflicted with tzaraasכַּשָּׁלֶגlike snowוַיִּפֶןand turnedאַהֲרֹןAharonאֶלtoמִרְיָםMiriamוְהִנֵּהand beholdמְצֹרָעַת׃she was afflicted with tzaraas

רַשִׁ״י

והענןAnd the cloudסר.departedוְאַחֲ"כַּand afterwardsוהנהand beholdמריםMiriamמצרעתwas leprousכשלגlike snow,מָשָׁלA parableלְמֶלֶךְto a kingשֶׁאָמַרwho saidלְפֵדָגוֹג,to a tutorרְדֵהChastiseאֶת—בְּנִי,my sonאֲבָלbutלֹאdo notתִרְדֶּנּוּchastise himעַדuntilשֶׁאֵלֵךְthat I goמֵאֶצְלְךָ,from youשֶׁרַחֲמַיbecause my mercyעָלָיוis upon himשםthere:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאַהֲרֹןAharonאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheבִּיpleaseאֲדֹנִיmy lordאַלdo notנָאpleaseתָשֵׁתplaceעָלֵינוּupon usחַטָּאתsinאֲשֶׁרthatנוֹאַלְנוּwe acted foolishlyוַאֲשֶׁרand thatחָטָאנוּ׃we sinned

רַשִׁ״י

נואלנו.we have acted foolishlyכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its translationלְשׁוֹןan expression ofאֱוִיל:a fool

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

אַלlet notנָאpleaseתְהִיshe beכַּמֵּתlike the deadאֲשֶׁרwhichבְּצֵאתוֹin its coming outמֵרֶחֶםfrom the womb ofאִמּוֹits motherוַיֵּאָכֵלand is consumedחֲצִיhalf ofבְשָׂרוֹ׃its flesh

רַשִׁ״י

אלDo notנאpleaseתהי.let beאֲחוֹתֵנוּour sisterזוֹ:this

רַשִׁ״י

כמת.As one who is deadשֶׁהַמְּצֹרָעfor the leperחָשׁוּבis consideredכַּמֵּת,like a corpseמַהjust asמֵּתa corpseמְטַמֵּאmakes uncleanבְּבִיאָהthrough enteringאַףso tooמְצֹרָעa leperמְטַמֵּאmakes uncleanבְּבִיאָהthrough enteringשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhoבצאתוin his coming outמרחםfrom the womb ofאמו.his motherאִמֵּנוּour motherהָיָהit wasלוֹfor itלוֹמַר,to sayאֶלָּאbutשֶׁכִּנָּהthat modifiedהַכָּתוּב,the Scriptureוְכֵןand likewiseחֲצִיhalf ofבְשָׂרוֹ,his fleshחֲצִיhalf ofבְשָׂרֵנוּour fleshהָיָהit wasלוֹfor itלוֹמַר,to sayאֶלָּאbutשֶׁכִּנָּהthat modifiedהַכָּתוּב,the Scriptureמֵאַחַרsinceשֶׁיָּצְתָהthat she came forthמֵרֶחֶםfrom the womb ofאִמֵּנוּ,our motherהִיאshe isלָנוּto usכְּאִלּוּas ifנֶאֱכַלis consumedחֲצִיhalf ofבְשָׂרֵנוּ,our fleshכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is said"כִּיforאָחִינוּour brotherבְשָׂרֵנוּour fleshהוּא"he isבראשיתBereishisל"ז37,וּלְפִיand according toמַשְׁמָעוֹ,its literal meaningאַףevenהוּאitנִרְאֶהappearsכֵן,soאֵיןit is notרָאוּיproperלְאָחfor a brotherלְהַנִּיחַto leaveאֶת—אֲחוֹתוֹhis sisterלִהְיוֹתto beכַּמֵּת:like the dead

רַשִׁ״י

אשרthatבצאתו.in his coming outמֵאַחַרsinceשֶׁיָּצָאthat he came outזֶהthis oneמֵרֶחֶםfrom the womb ofאִמּוֹthe mother ofשֶׁלofזֶה,this oneשֶׁיֵּשׁwho hasכֹּחַpowerבְּיָדוֹin his handלַעֲזֹרto helpוְאֵינוֹand he does notעוֹזְרוֹhelp him—הֲרֵיbeholdנֶאֱכָלis consumedחציhalf ofבשרוhis flesh,שֶׁאָחִיוfor his brotherבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshהוּא;he isדָּ"אַ,another explanationאלlet notנאpleaseתהיshe beכמתlike a dead person—אִםifאֵינְךָyou do notרוֹפְאָהּheal herבִּתְפִלָּה,with prayerמִיwhoמַסְגִּירָהּ,will quarantine herמִיwhoמְטַהֲרָהּ?will declare her cleanאֲנִיIאִ"אֶam unableלִרְאוֹתָהּ,to examine herשֶׁאֲנִיsince Iקָרוֹבam a relativeוְאֵיןand noקָרוֹבrelativeרוֹאֶהexaminesאֶת—הַנְּגָעִים,the leprous plaguesוְכֹהֵןand a Kohenאַחֵרotherאֵיןthere is notבָּעוֹלָם,in the worldוְזֶהוּand this isאשרthatבצאתוin his coming outמרחםfrom the womb ofאמוhis mother:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיִּצְעַקAnd cried outמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoיְהוָהHashemלֵאמֹרsayingאֵלO Godנָאpleaseרְפָאhealנָאpleaseלָהּ׃her

רַשִׁ״י

אלGodנאpleaseרפאhealנאpleaseלה.herבָּאcomesהַכָּתוּבthe verseלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youדֶּרֶךְproperאֶרֶץ,conductשֶׁהַשּׁוֹאֵלthat one who asksדָּבָרa thingמֵחֲבֵרוֹfrom his fellowצָרִיךְneedsלוֹמַרto sayשְׁנַיִםtwoאוֹorשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeדִבְרֵיwords ofתַחֲנוּנִיםsupplicationוְאַ"כַּand afterwardsיְבַקֵּשׁhe should requestשְׁאֵלוֹתָיוhis requestsספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

לאמר.Sayingמַהwhatתַּ"לdoes the teaching say?אָמַרhe saidלוֹto Himהֲשִׁיבֵנִיanswer meאִםwhetherאַתָּהYouמְרַפֵּאare healingאוֹתָהּherאִםorלָאוnotעַדuntilשֶׁהֱשִׁיבוֹthat He answered himוְאָבִיהָand if her fatherיָרֹקhad surelyיָרַקspitוְגוֹ';etc.רַאֶבֶּ"עֲRabbi Elazar ben Azariahאוֹמֵרsaysבְּאַרְבָּעָהin fourמְקוֹמוֹתplacesבִּקֵּשׁrequestedמֹשֶׁהMosheמִלִּפְנֵיfrom beforeהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heלַהֲשִׁיבוֹto answer himאִםwhetherיַעֲשֶׂהHe will performשְׁאֵלוֹתָיוhis requestsאִםorלָאו:notכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבוֹ,to it"וַיְדַבֵּרand he spokeמֹשֶׁהMosheלִפְנֵיbeforeה'Hashemלֵאמֹר"sayingוְגוֹ'etc.שמותShemosו'6,מַהwhatתַּ"לdoes the teaching say"לֵאמֹר"?sayingהֲשִׁיבֵנִיanswer meאִםwhetherגּוֹאֲלָםredeeming themאַתָּהYou areאִםorלָאוnotעַדuntilשֶׁהֱשִׁיבוֹthat He answered him"עַתָּהnowתִרְאֶה"you shall seeוְגוֹ',etc.כַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבוֹ,to it"וַיְדַבֵּרand he spokeמֹשֶׁהMosheלִפְנֵיbeforeה'Hashemלֵאמֹרsayingיִפְקֹדlet Him appointה'HashemאֱלֹהֵיGod ofהָרוּחֹתthe spiritsלְכָלof allבָּשָׂר"fleshבמדברBamidbarכ"ז27,הֱשִׁיבוֹHe answered him"קַחtakeלְךָ",for yourselfכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבוֹto it"וָאֶתְחַנַּןand I imploredאֶלtoה'Hashemבָּעֵתat the timeהַהִואthatלֵאמֹר"sayingדבריםDevarimג'3,הֱשִׁיבוֹHe answered him"רַבenoughלָךְ"for youספריSifrei:

רַשִׁ״י

רפאhealנאpleaseלה.herמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמָהwhatלֹאnotהֶאֱרִיךְdid lengthenמֹשֶׁהMosheבִּתְפִלָּה?in prayerשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִהְיוּwould beיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאוֹמְרִים,sayingאֲחוֹתוֹhis sisterעוֹמֶדֶתstandsבְּצָרָהin distressוְהוּאand heעוֹמֵדstandsוּמַרְבֶּהand increasesבִתְפִלָּהin prayerספריSifreiדָּ"אַ,another explanationשֶׁלֹּאso that notיֹאמְרוּwould sayיִשְׂרָאֵל,Yisraelבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofאֲחוֹתוֹhis sisterהוּאheמַאֲרִיךְlengthensבִּתְפִלָּהin prayerאֲבָלbutבִּשְׁבִילֵנוּfor our sakeאֵינוֹhe does notמַאֲרִיךְlengthenבִּתְפִלָּהin prayer:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאָבִיהָand if her fatherיָרֹקspittingיָרַקhad spatבְּפָנֶיהָin her faceהֲלֹאwould she notתִכָּלֵםbe ashamedשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysתִּסָּגֵרlet her be shutשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶהto the campוְאַחַרand afterwardsתֵּאָסֵף׃she shall be gathered

רַשִׁ״י

ואביהAnd if her fatherירקhad surelyירקspitבפניה.in her faceוְאִםand ifאָבִיהָher fatherהֶרְאָהshowedלָהּto herפָּנִיםa faceזוֹעֲפוֹת,angryהלאwould she notתכלםbe shamedשבעתsevenימיםdays?קַ"וָa kal vachomerלִשְׁכִינָהfor the Shechinahי"דfourteenיוֹם,daysאֶלָּאbutדַּיּוֹit is sufficientלַבָּאfor that which comesמִןfromהַדִּיןthe logical derivationלִהְיוֹתto beכַּנִּדּוֹן,like the sourceלְפִיכָךְthereforeאַףevenבִּנְזִיפָתִיwith My reprimandתסגרlet her be shutשבעתsevenימיםdaysשם;thereבבאBavaקמאKammaכ"הtwenty-five:

רַשִׁ״י

ואחרand afterתאסף.she shall be gatheredאוֹמֵרsayאֲנִי,Iכָּלallהָאֲסִיפוֹתthe gatheringsהָאֲמוּרוֹתthat are saidבִּמְצֹרָעִיםregarding lepersעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁהוּאthat he isמְשֻׁלָּחsent outמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶה,to the campוּכְשֶׁהוּאand when heנִרְפָּאis healedנֶאֱסָףhe is gatheredאֶלtoהַמַּחֲנֶה,the campלְכָךְthereforeכָּתוּבit is writtenבּוֹregarding himאֲסִיפָה,gatheringלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַכְנָסָה:bringing in

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וַתִּסָּגֵרAnd was shutמִרְיָםMiriamמִחוּץoutsideלַמַּחֲנֶהto the campשִׁבְעַתsevenיָמִיםdaysוְהָעָםand the peopleלֹאdid notנָסַעtravelעַדuntilהֵאָסֵףthe gathering in ofמִרְיָם׃Miriam

רַשִׁ״י

והעםAnd the peopleלאdid notנסע.journeyזֶהthisהַכָּבוֹדhonorחָלַקapportionedלָהּto herהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentבִּשְׁבִילbecause ofשָׁעָהhourאַחַתoneשֶׁנִּתְעַכְּבָהthat she delayedלְמֹשֶׁהfor Mosheכְּשֶׁהֻשְׁלַךְwhen he was castלַיְאוֹר,into the riverשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosב'2"וַתֵּתַצַּבAnd stoodאֲחֹתוֹhis sisterמֵרָחֹק"from afarוְגוֹ'etceteraסוטהSotahט'9:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְאַחַרAnd afterנָסְעוּjourneyedהָעָםthe peopleמֵחֲצֵרוֹתfrom Chatzerosוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedבְּמִדְבַּרin the wilderness ofפָּארָן׃Paran

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the gathering of the quail, which quickly turned into a devastating plague of judgment at Kibros Hattaavah. After journeying to Chatzeros, Miriam spoke lashon hara about Moshe Rabbeinu, prompting Hashem to suddenly summon the siblings and clarify Moshe's unique, face-to-face relationship with the Shechinah. As a result of this speaking, Miriam was stricken with tzara'as; despite Aaron's pleas and Moshe's heartfelt, concise tefillah for her healing, Hashem decreed that she must be quarantined outside the camp for seven days, during which the entire nation lovingly waited and did not travel until she was healed and brought back.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

My dear friend, look at the incredible contrast the Torah paints for us in this parsha. On one hand, we see the tragic end of those who ran after their physical desires at Kibroth-hattaavah. They spent days and nights frantically gathering the quail, driven by an insatiable craving, only for it to become their downfall. On the other hand, we see the beautiful, quiet humility of Moshe Rabbeinu, who did not seek honor or defend his own name when spoken against, and who immediately cried out to Hashem with a pure heart to heal his sister Miriam.

This teaches us a profound lesson about where we direct our energy. The yetzer hara wants us to believe that our happiness lies in chasing after physical cravings, gathering more and more of the 'quail' of this world. But the Torah shows us that true greatness and peace of mind come from the opposite direction—from the humility of Moshe, from stepping back, and from caring deeply for another Yid, even one who has hurt us.

When Miriam was punished, Moshe did not harbor any resentment. He did not say, 'She spoke against me, so she deserves it.' Instead, he immediately poured out his heart in a short, powerful tefillah: 'Eil na refa na lah.' This is our avodah. When someone wrongs us, or when we feel the urge to run after physical desires, we must stop, tap into our inner humility, and choose the path of chessed and tefillah for others.

Today, when you feel a strong desire to react to someone who upset you, or when you feel caught up in chasing a material craving, pause for one moment, think of Moshe Rabbeinu's humility, and say a quick, silent prayer for the well-being of another person instead.