Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we experience the deeply moving and solemn transition of leadership as the holy Kohen Gadol, Aaron HaKohen, is gathered to his people on Mount Hor. Because of the waters of Meribah, Hashem decrees that Aaron will not enter the Promised Land. In the sight of the entire congregation, Moshe Rabbeinu ascends the mountain with Aaron and his son Elazar, where Moshe gently transfers the sacred priestly vestments to Elazar before Aaron passes away in holiness. The entire House of Israel, feeling the immense loss of Aaron's peaceful soul, weeps for him for thirty days.

Following this mourning period, the Bnei Yisrael face immediate challenges and spiritual trials. They are attacked by the Canaanite king of Arad, prompting them to make a sacred vow to Hashem, Who delivers the enemy into their hands. However, as they journey around Edom, the people's spirits grow short, and they fall into the trap of speaking against Hashem and Moshe, complaining about the manna. This brings a painful punishment of fiery serpents, leading the people to do teshuvah and cry out to Moshe to intercede on their behalf.

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

וַיִּסְעוּAnd they journeyedמִקָּדֵשׁfrom Kadeshוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelכָּלall ofהָעֵדָהthe congregationהֹרHorהָהָר׃the mountain

רַשִׁ״י

כלThe entireהעדה.congregationכֻּלָּםall of themשְׁלֵמִיםperfectוְעוֹמְדִיםand standingלִכָּנֵסto enterלָאָרֶץ,the landשֶׁלֹּאfor notהָיָהwasבָּהֶןamong themאֶחָדoneמֵאוֹתָםof thoseשֶׁנִּגְזְרָהupon whom was decreedגְזֵרָהthe decreeעֲלֵיהֶם,upon themשֶׁכְּבָרfor alreadyכָּלוּhad ceasedמֵתֵיthe dead ofמִדְבָּרthe wildernessוְאֵלּוּand theseמֵאוֹתָןare of thoseשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenבָּהֶןabout themדבריםDevarimד'four"חַיִּיםare aliveכֻּלְּכֶםall of youהַיּוֹם"todayתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

הרMountההר.Horהַרa mountעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofהַר,a mountכְּתַפּוּחַlike an appleקָטָןsmallעַלonגַּבֵּיtop ofתַפּוּחַan appleגָּדוֹל,largeוְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughשֶׁהֶעָנָןthat the cloudהוֹלֵךְwentלִפְנֵיהֶםbefore themוּמַשְׁוֶהand levelledאֶת—הֶהָרִים,the mountainsשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeנִשְׁאֲרוּremainedבָהֶןamong them—הַרMountסִינַיSinaiלַתּוֹרָהfor the Torahוְהֹרand Horהָהָרthe mountלִקְבוּרַתfor the burial ofאַהֲרֹןAharonוְהַרand MountנְבוֹNeboלִקְבוּרַתfor the burial ofמֹשֶׁהMosheתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלand toאַהֲרֹןAharonבְּהֹרat Horהָהָרthe mountainעַלbyגְּבוּלthe border ofאֶרֶץthe land ofאֱדוֹםEdomלֵאמֹר׃saying

רַשִׁ״י

עלByגבולthe boundary ofארץthe land ofאדום.Edomמַגִּידthis tellsשֶׁמִּפְּנֵיthat becauseשֶׁנִּתְחַבְּרוּthey joinedכָאןhereלְהִתְקָרֵבto draw closeלְעֵשָׂוto Esavהָרָשָׁע,the wickedנִפְרְצוּwere breachedמַעֲשֵׂיהֶםtheir deedsוְחָסְרוּand they lostהַצַּדִּיקthe righteous manהַזֶּה,thisוְכֵןand soהַנָּבִיאthe prophetאוֹמֵרsaysלִיהוֹשָׁפָטto YehoshafatדבריChroniclesהימים·ב'IIכ'20"בְּהִתְחַבֶּרְךָ"Because you joinedעִםwithאֲחַזְיָהוּAchazyahuפָּרַץhas breachedה'Hashemאֶת—מַעֲשֶׂיךָ"your works"תנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

יֵאָסֵףLet be gatheredאַהֲרֹןAharonאֶלtoעַמָּיוhis peoplesכִּיbecauseלֹאnotיָבֹאhe shall enterאֶלintoהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַתִּיI have givenלִבְנֵיto the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelעַלbecauseאֲשֶׁרthatמְרִיתֶםyou rebelled againstאֶת—פִּיMy wordלְמֵיat the waters ofמְרִיבָה׃Meribah

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

קַחTakeאֶת—אַהֲרֹןAharonוְאֶתand —אֶלְעָזָרElazarבְּנוֹhis sonוְהַעַלand bring upאֹתָםthemהֹרHorהָהָר׃the mountain

רַשִׁ״י

קחTakeאת—אהרן.Aharonבִּדְבָרִיםwith wordsשֶׁלofנִחוּמִיםconsolation—אֱמֹרsayלוֹ,to himאַשְׁרֶיךָfortunate are youשֶׁתִּרְאֶהthat you will seeכִתְרְךָyour crownנָתוּןgivenלְבִנְךָ,to your sonמַהwhichשֶּׁאֵיןthat notאֲנִיIזַכַּאיam privilegedלְכָךְto thisשםthere:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְהַפְשֵׁטand stripאֶת—אַהֲרֹןAharonאֶת—בְּגָדָיוhis garmentsוְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּםand clothe themאֶת—אֶלְעָזָרElazarבְּנוֹhis sonוְאַהֲרֹןand Aharonיֵאָסֵףshall be gatheredוּמֵתand dieשָׁם׃there

רַשִׁ״י

את—בגדיו.his garmentsאֶת—בִּגְדֵיthe garments ofכְהֻנָּהpriesthoodגְדוֹלָהhighהִלְבִּישָׁהוּhe clothed himוְהִפְשִׁיטָםand he stripped themמֵעָלָיו,from upon himלְתִתָּםto place themעַלuponבְּנוֹhis sonבְּפָנָיו;in his presenceאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himהִכָּנֵסenterלַמְּעָרָהinto the caveוְנִכְנַס,and he enteredרָאָהhe sawמִטָּהa bedמֻצַּעַתmadeוְנֵרand a candleדָּלוּק,burningאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himעֲלֵהascendלַמִּטָּהto the bedוְעָלָה,and he ascendedפְּשֹׁטstretch outיָדֶיךָyour handsוּפָשַׁט,and he stretched outקְמֹץcloseפִּיךָyour mouthוְקָמַץ,and he closedעֲצֹםcloseעֵינֶיךָyour eyesוְעָצַם,and he closedמִיָּדimmediatelyחָמַדcovetedמֹשֶׁהMosheלְאוֹתָהּfor thatמִיתָה,deathוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat was saidלוֹto himדבריםDevarimל"ב32"כַּאֲשֶׁרasמֵתdiedאַהֲרֹןAharonאָחִיךָ"your brother—מִיתָהthe deathשֶׁנִתְאַוִּיתָthat you longedלָהּfor itספריSifreiשםthere:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיַּעַשׂAnd didמֹשֶׁהMosheכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedיְהוָהHashemוַיַּעֲלוּand they ascendedאֶלtoהֹרHorהָהָרthe mountainלְעֵינֵיin the eyes ofכָּלall ofהָעֵדָה׃the congregation

רַשִׁ״י

ויעשAnd Moshe didמשה.Mosheאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁהַדָּבָרthat the matterקָשֶׁהwas difficultלוֹ,for himלֹאhe did notעִכֵּבdelayתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיַּפְשֵׁטAnd strippedמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶת—אַהֲרֹןAharonאֶת—בְּגָדָיוhis garmentsוַיַּלְבֵּשׁand he clothedאֹתָםthemאֶת—אֶלְעָזָרElazarבְּנוֹhis sonוַיָּמָתand diedאַהֲרֹןAharonשָׁםthereבְּרֹאשׁon the top ofהָהָרthe mountainוַיֵּרֶדand descendedמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarמִןfromהָהָר׃the mountain

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיִּרְאוּAnd they sawכָּלallהָעֵדָהthe congregationכִּיthatגָוַעhad expiredאַהֲרֹןAharonוַיִּבְכּוּand they wept forאֶת—אַהֲרֹןAharonשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹםdaysכֹּלallבֵּיתthe house ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ויראוAnd they sawכלallהעדה.the congregationכְּשֶׁרָאוּwhen they sawמֹשֶׁהMosheוְאֶלְעָזָרand Elazarיוֹרְדִיםdescendingוְאַהֲרֹןand Aharonלֹאnotיָרַד,descendedאָמְרוּthey saidהֵיכָןwhereהוּאisאַהֲרֹן?Aharonאָמַרhe saidלָהֶםto themמֵת,he diedאָמְרוּthey saidאֶפְשָׁרis it possibleמִיoneשֶׁעָמַדwho stoodכְּנֶגֶדagainstהַמַּלְאָךְthe Angelוְעָצַרand stoppedאֶת—הַמַּגֵּפָהthe plagueיִשְׁלֹטshould ruleבוֹover himמַלְאַךְthe Angel ofהַמָּוֶת?DeathמִיָּדimmediatelyבִּקֵּשׁrequestedמֹשֶׁהMosheרַחֲמִיםmercyוְהֶרְאוּהוּand they showed himמַלְאֲכֵיthe angels ofהַשָּׁרֵתserviceלָהֶםto themמֻטָּלlyingבַּמִּטָּה,on the bedרָאוּthey sawוְהֶאֱמִינוּand they believedשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

כלallביתthe house ofישראל.Yisraelהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menוְהַנָּשִׁים,and the womenלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat wasאַהֲרֹןAharonרוֹדֵףpursuingשָׁלוֹםpeaceוּמַטִּילand placingאַהֲבָהloveבֵּיןbetweenבַּעֲלֵיparties ofמְרִיבָהquarrelוּבֵיןand betweenאִישׁa manלְאִשְׁתּוֹto his wifeאדר"נAvos d'Rabbi Nasanי"ב12:

רַשִׁ״י

כיthatגוע.he had diedאוֹמֵרsayאֲנִיIשֶׁהַמְתַּרְגֵּםthat he who translatesדְּהָאbecauseמִיתhe diedטוֹעֶהerrsהוּא,heאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·מְתַרְגֵּםhe translatesוַיִּרְאוּand they sawוְאִתְחֲזִיאוּ,and they were seenשֶׁלֹּאfor notאָמְרוּdid sayרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisכִּיbecauseזֶהthisמְשַׁמֵּשׁservesבִּלְשׁוֹןin the sense ofדְּהָאbecauseאֶלָּאexceptעַלaccording toמִדְרָשׁthe Midrashשֶׁנִּסְתַּלְּקוּthat departedעַנְנֵיthe clouds ofהַכָּבוֹד,the gloryוְכִדְאָמַרand as saidרַבִּיRabbiאַבָּהוּAbahuראשRoshהשנהHashanahג'3a,אַלdo notתִּקְרֵיreadוַיִּרְאוּ,and they sawאֶלָּאbut ratherוַיֵּרָאוּ,and they were seenוְעַלand uponלָשׁוֹןexpressionזֶהthisנוֹפֵלfallsלְשׁוֹןthe expression ofדְּהָא,becauseלְפִיsinceשֶׁהִיאit isנְתִינַתthe giving ofטַעַםa reasonלְמַהfor whatשֶּׁלְּמַעְלָהthat is aboveהֵימֶנּוּit—לָמָּהwhyוַיֵּרָאוּ?were they seenלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהֲרֵיbeholdמֵתdiedאַהֲרֹן;Aaronאֲבָלbutעַלuponתַּרְגּוּםthe translation of"וְחָזוּand they sawכָלallכְּנִשְׁתָּא"the congregationאֵיןthere is noלְשׁוֹןexpression ofדְּהָאbecauseנוֹפֵלapplicableאֶלָּאbut onlyלְשׁוֹןthe expression ofאֲשֶׁר,thatשֶׁהוּאwhich isמִגִּזְרַתfrom the category ofשִׁמּוּשׁthe usage ofאִי,ifשֶׁמָּצִינוּfor we findאִםifמְשַׁמֵּשׁservesבִּלְשׁוֹןin the sense ofאֲשֶׁר,thatכְּמוֹlike"וְאִםand ifמַדּוּעַwhyלֹאnotתִקְצַרshould be impatientרוּחִי"my spiritאיובJobכ"א21,וְהַרְבֵּהand manyמְפֹרָשִׁיםare explainedמִזֶּהfrom thisהַלָּשׁוֹןexpression—"אִםifחֲרוּצִיםare determinedיָמָיו"his daysשםthereי"ד14:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיִּשְׁמַעAnd he heardהַכְּנַעֲנִיthe Canaaniteמֶלֶךְking ofעֲרָדAradיֹשֵׁבwho dwelt inהַנֶּגֶבthe SouthכִּיthatבָּאcameיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelדֶּרֶךְby the way ofהָאֲתָרִיםthe spiesוַיִּלָּחֶםand he foughtבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלagainst Israelוַיִּשְׁבְּand he took captiveמִמֶּנּוּfrom themשֶׁבִי׃a captivity

רַשִׁ״י

וישמעAnd he heardהכנעני.the CanaaniteשָׁמַעHe heardשֶׁמֵּתthat diedאַהֲרֹןAharonוְנִסְתַּלְּקוּand departedעַנְנֵיthe clouds ofכָבוֹדgloryכו',etc.כִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְּרֹאשׁin RoshהַשָּׁנָהHashanahדףpageג'3,וַעֲמָלֵקand Amalekמֵעוֹלָםfrom alwaysרְצוּעַתwas a strap ofמַרְדּוּתchastisementלְיִשְׂרָאֵל,for Yisraelמְזֻמָּןpreparedבְּכָלat everyעֵתtimeלְפֻרְעָנוּת:for punishment

רַשִׁ״י

ישבThe inhabitant ofהנגב.the southזֶהthisעֲמָלֵק,Amalekשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"עֲמָלֵקAmalekיוֹשֵׁבdwellsבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofהַנֶּגֶב"the southבמדברBamidbarי"ג13,וְשִׁנָּהand he changedאֶת—לְשׁוֹנוֹhis languageלְדַבֵּרto speakבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofכְּנַעַן,Canaanכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they would beיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמִתְפַּלְּלִיםprayingלְהַקָּבָּ"הto the Holy Oneלָתֵתto giveכְּנַעֲנִיםCanaanitesבְּיָדָם,into their handוְהֵםand theyאֵינָןwere notכְּנַעֲנִים,CanaanitesרָאוּThey sawיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְבוּשֵׁיהֶםtheir clothingכִּלְבוּשֵׁיlike the clothing ofעֲמָלֵקִיםAmalekitesוּלְשׁוֹנָםand their languageלְשׁוֹןthe language ofכְּנַעַן,Canaanאָמְרוּthey saidנִתְפַּלֵּלlet us prayסְתָם,generallyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"אִםifנָתֹןsurelyתִּתֵּןYou will giveאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisבְּיָדִי"into my handעי'seeילקוטYalkutשמעוניShimoniתשס"ד764:

רַשִׁ״י

דרךThe way ofהאתרים.the Atharimדֶּרֶךְthe way ofהַנֶּגֶב,the southשֶׁהָלְכוּthat wentבּוֹby itמְרַגְּלִים,the spiesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיַּעֲלוּand they went upבַנֶּגֶב"by the southבמדברin Bamidbarי"גthirteen;דָּבָרanotherאַחֵר:explanationדֶּרֶךְthe way ofהָאֲתָרִים,the Atharimדֶּרֶךְthe way ofהַתַּיָּרthe Scoutהַגָּדוֹלthe Greatהַנּוֹסֵעַthat journeyedלִפְנֵיהֶם,before themשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשםthereי'ten"דֶּרֶךְa journey ofשְׁלֹשֶׁתthreeיָמִיםdaysלָתוּרto search outלָהֶםfor themמְנוּחָה"a resting placeתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

וישבand he capturedממנוfrom themשבי.a captiveאֵינָהּit was notאֶלָּאbutשִׁפְחָהa maidservantאַחַתoneילקוטYalkutשמעוניShimoniשםthere:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיִּדַּרAnd vowedיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelנֶדֶרa vowלַיהוָהto Hashemוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאִםIfנָתֹןsurelyתִּתֵּןYou will deliverאֶת—הָעָםthe nationהַזֶּהthisבְּיָדִיinto my handוְהַחֲרַמְתִּיthen I will destroyאֶת—עָרֵיהֶם׃their cities

רַשִׁ״י

והחרמתי.And I will dedicateאַקְדִּישׁI will consecrateשְׁלָלָםtheir spoilלְגָבוֹהַּ:to the Most High

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיִּשְׁמַעAnd hearkenedיְהוָהHashemבְּקוֹלto the voice ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוַיִּתֵּןand He deliveredאֶת—הַכְּנַעֲנִיthe Canaaniteוַיַּחֲרֵםand he destroyedאֶתְהֶםthemוְאֶתand —עָרֵיהֶםtheir citiesוַיִּקְרָאand he calledשֵׁםthe name ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeחָרְמָה׃Chormah

רַשִׁ״י

ויחרםand he destroyedאתהם.themבַּהֲרִיגָה:with killing

רַשִׁ״י

ואתand —עריהם.their citiesחֶרְמֵיas dedicated things ofגָבוֹהַּ:the Most High

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיִּסְעוּAnd they journeyedמֵהֹרfrom Horהָהָרthe mountainדֶּרֶךְby way ofיַםthe Sea ofסוּףReedsלִסְבֹבto bypassאֶת—אֶרֶץthe land ofאֱדוֹםEdomוַתִּקְצַרand became impatientנֶפֶשׁthe soul ofהָעָםthe peopleבַּדָּרֶךְ׃on the journey

רַשִׁ״י

דרךְThe way ofיםthe Sea ofסוף.ReedsכֵּיוָןAs soon asשֶׁמֵּתthat diedאַהֲרֹןAharonוּבָאתand cameעֲלֵיהֶםupon themמִלְחָמָהwarזוֹ,thisחָזְרוּthey turned backלַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶםon their backward pathדֶּרֶךְthe way ofיַםthe Sea ofסוּף,Reedsהוּאit isהַדֶּרֶךְthe wayשֶׁחָזְרוּthat they turned backלָהֶםfor themselvesכְּשֶׁנִּגְזַרwhen it was decreedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themגְּזֵרַתthe decree ofמְרַגְּלִים,the spiesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וּסְעוּand journeyהַמִּדְבָּרָהinto the wildernessדֶּרֶךְthe way ofיַםthe Sea ofסוּף"ReedsדבריםDevarimא'chapter 1,וְכָאןand hereחָזְרוּthey turned backלַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶםon their backward pathשֶׁבַעsevenמַסָּעוֹת,journeysשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וּבְנֵיAnd the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelנָסְעוּjourneyedמִבְּאֵרֹתfrom BeerothבְּנֵיBeneיַעֲקָןYaakanמוֹסֵרָהto Moserahשָׁםthereמֵתdiedאַהֲרֹן",AharonוְכִיBut didבְמוֹסֵרָהat Moserahמֵת?he dieוַהֲלֹאand is it notבְהֹרat Horהָהָרthe Mountainמֵת?he diedאֶלָּאratherשָׁםthereחָזְרוּthey turned backוְהִתְאַבְּלוּand they mournedעָלָיוfor himוְהִסְפִּידוּהוּand they lamented himכְּאִלּוּas ifהוּאhe wasבִפְנֵיהֶם;before themוְצֵאand go outוּבְדֹקand examineבַּמַּסָּעוֹתin the journeysוְתִמְצְאֵםand you will find themשֶׁבַעsevenמַסָּעוֹתjourneysמִןfromמוֹסֵרָהMoserahעַדuntilהֹרHorהָהָרthe MountainתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

לסבבto go roundאת—ארץthe land ofאדום.Edomשֶׁלֹּאbecause notנְתָנָםhe permitted themלַעֲבֹרto passבְּאַרְצוֹ:through his land

רַשִׁ״י

ותקצרAnd was shortenedנפשthe soul ofהעםthe peopleבדרך.because of the wayבְּטֹרַחbecause of the trouble ofהַדֶּרֶךְthe journeyשֶׁהֻקְשָׁהwhich was hardלָהֶם,for themאָמְרוּthey saidעַכְשָׁוnowהָיִינוּwe wereקְרוֹבִיםcloseלִכָּנֵסto enterלָאָרֶץinto the landוְאָנוּand weחוֹזְרִיםare turning backלַאֲחוֹרֵינוּ,backwardכָּךְthusחָזְרוּturned backאֲבוֹתֵינוּour fathersוְנִשְׁתָּהוּand delayedשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyוּשְׁמוֹנֶהand eightשָׁנָהyearsעַדuntilהַיּוֹם,this dayלְפִיכָךְthereforeקָצְרָהwas shortenedנַפְשָׁםtheir soulבְּעִנּוּיby the affliction ofהַדֶּרֶךְ,the journeyוּבְלַעַ"זand in foreign languageאנקרוט"לור;en cure del tourוְלֹאand notיִתָּכֵןis it correctלוֹמַרto sayוַתִּקְצַרand was shortenedנֶפֶשׁthe soul ofהָעָםthe peopleבַּדָּרֶךְon the journey—בִּהְיוֹתוֹwhile beingבַדֶּרֶךְ,on the journeyוְלֹאand notפֵּרֵשׁexplainedבּוֹin itבַּמֶּהby whatקָצְרָה,it was shortenedשֶׁכָּלfor everyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁתִּמְצָאthat you findקִצּוּרshortening ofנֶפֶשsoulבַּמִּקְרָאin Scriptureמְפֹרָשׁit is explainedשָׁםthereבַּמֶּהby whatקָצְרָה,it was shortenedכְּגוֹןfor example"וַתִּקְצַרand was shortenedנַפְשִׁיmy soulבָּהֶם"with themזכריהZechariahי"א11,וּכְגוֹןand for example"וַתִּקְצַרand was shortenedנַפְשׁוֹHis soulבַּעֲמַלby the misery ofיִשְׂרָאֵל"YisraelשופטיםJudgesי'10,וְכָלand everyדָּבָרthingקָשֶׁהhardעַלuponאָדָםa personנוֹפֵלfallsבּוֹon itלְשׁוֹןthe expression ofקִצּוּרshortening ofנֶפֶשׁ,soulכְּאָדָםlike a personשֶׁהַטֹּרַחthat the troubleבָּאcomesעָלָיוupon himוְאֵיןand there is noדַּעְתּוֹhis mindרְחָבָהbroad enoughלְקַבֵּלto receiveאוֹתוֹitהַדָּבָרthe matterוְאֵיןand there is noלוֹfor itמָקוֹםplaceבְּתוֹךְwithinלִבּוֹhis heartלָגוּרto dwellשָׁםthereהַצַּעַר,the painוּבְדָבָרand regarding a thingהַמַּטְרִיחַthat burdensנוֹפֵלfallsלְשׁוֹןthe expression ofגֹּדֶל,greatnessשֶׁגָּדוֹלthat greatהוּאit isוְכָבֵדand heavyעַלuponהָאָדָם,the personכְּגוֹןfor example"וְגַםand alsoנַפְשָׁםtheir soulבָּחֲלָהgrew greatבִי"against MeזכריהZechariahי"א11—גָּדְלָהit grew greatעָלַי,upon me"וְיִגְאֶהand it becomes largeכַּשַּׁחַלlike a lionתְּצוּדֵנִי"You hunt meאיובJobי'10;כְּלָלוֹthe general ruleשֶׁלofפֵּרוּשׁ,the explanation ofכָּלeveryלְשׁוֹןexpression ofקִצּוּרshortening ofנֶפֶשׁsoulבְּדָבָרin a matterלָשׁוֹןis an expressionשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noיָכוֹלabilityלְסָבְלוֹto bear itהוּאit is—שֶׁאֵיןthat does notהַדַּעַתthe mindסוֹבַלְתּוֹ:bear it

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeהָעָםthe peopleבֵּאלֹהִיםagainst Godוּבְמֹשֶׁהand against Mosheלָמָהwhyהֶעֱלִיתֻנוּdid you bring us upמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimלָמוּתto dieבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessכִּיforאֵיןthere is noלֶחֶםbreadוְאֵיןand there is noמַיִםwaterוְנַפְשֵׁנוּand our soulקָצָהloathesבַּלֶּחֶם· the breadהַקְּלֹקֵל׃the miserable

רַשִׁ״י

באלהיםagainst Godובמשה.and against Mosheהִשְׁווּthey equatedעֶבֶדa servantלְקוֹנוֹto his MasterתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

למהwhyהעליתנו.have you brought us upשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themשָׁוִים:were equal

רַשִׁ״י

ונפשנוand our soulקצה.loathethאַףevenזֶהthisלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofקִצּוּרshortening ofנֶפֶשׁsoulוּמִאוּס:and rejecting

רַשִׁ״י

בלחםwith the breadהקלקל.the lightלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהַמָּןthat the mannaנִבְלָעwas absorbedבָּאֵבָרִיםin the limbsקְרָאוּהוּthey called itקְלֹקֵל,lightאָמְרוּ,they saidעָתִידis destinedהַמָּןthe mannaהַזֶּהthisשֶׁיִּתְפַּחto swellבְּמֵעֵינוּ,in our stomachsכְּלוּםis thereיֵשׁanyיְלוּדone born ofאִשָּׁהwomanשֶׁמַּכְנִיסwho brings inוְאֵינוֹand does notמוֹצִיא?bring outיומאYomaע"ה75b:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיְשַׁלַּחAnd He sentיְהוָהHashemבָּעָםamong the peopleאֵת—הַנְּחָשִׁיםthe snakesהַשְּׂרָפִיםthe fiery onesוַיְנַשְּׁכוּand they bitאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleוַיָּמָתand diedעַםpeopleרָבmanyמִיִּשְׂרָאֵל׃from Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

את—הנחשיםthe serpentsהשרפים.the burning onesשֶׁשּׂוֹרְפִיםthat burnאֶת—הָאָדָםthe personבְּאֶרֶסwith the venom ofשִׁנֵּיהֶם:their teeth

רַשִׁ״י

וינשכוAnd they bitאת—העם.the peopleיָבֹאLet comeנָחָשׁthe serpentשֶׁלָּקָהwhich was punishedעַלforהוֹצָאַתbringing outדִּבָּהslanderוְיִפָּרַעand exact punishmentמִמּוֹצִיאֵיfrom those who bring outדִּבָּה,slanderיָבֹאLet comeנָחָשׁthe serpentשֶׁכָּלthat allהַמִּינִיןthe kindsנִטְעָמִיןare tastedלוֹto itטַעַםas a tasteאֶחָדsingleוְיִפָּרַעand exact punishmentמִכְּפוּיֵיfrom the deniers ofטוֹבָהgoodnessשֶׁדָּבָרthat a thingאֶחָדsingleמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangedלָהֶםfor themלְכַמָּהinto severalמַטְעַמִּיםdelicaciesתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיָּבֹאAnd cameהָעָםthe peopleאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidחָטָאנוּwe have sinnedכִּיforדִבַּרְנוּwe spokeבַיהוָהagainst Hashemוָבָךְand against youהִתְפַּלֵּלprayאֶלtoיְהוָהHashemוְיָסֵרthat He removeמֵעָלֵינוּfrom upon usאֶת—הַנָּחָשׁthe serpentsוַיִּתְפַּלֵּלand prayedמֹשֶׁהMosheבְּעַדon behalf ofהָעָם׃the people

רַשִׁ״י

ויתפללAnd prayedמשה.Mosheמִכָּאןfrom hereלְמִיto oneשֶׁמְּבַקְשִׁיםthat they seekמִמֶּנּוּ,from himשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְהֵאhe should beאַכְזָרִיcruelמִלִּמְחֹלfrom forgivingעי'seeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheעֲשֵׂהmakeלְךָfor yourselfשָׂרָףa fiery serpentוְשִׂיםand placeאֹתוֹitעַלuponנֵסa poleוְהָיָהand it shall beכָּלanyoneהַנָּשׁוּךְwho is bittenוְרָאָהand he looksאֹתוֹat itוָחָי׃and he shall live

רַשִׁ״י

עלUponנס.a poleעַלuponכְּלוֹנָס,a poleשֶׁקּוֹרִיןwhich they callפירק"אpercheבְּלַעַז,in foreign tongueוְכֵןand so"וְכַנֵּסand like a bannerעַלuponהַגִּבְעָה"the hillישעיהוYeshayahuל'30,"אָרִיםI will lift upנִסִּי"my bannerשםthereמ"ט49,"שְׂאוּlift upנֵס"a bannerשםthereי"ג13;וּלְפִיand becauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isגָּבוֹהַּhighלְאוֹתfor a signוְלִרְאָיָה,and for evidenceקוֹרְאוֹHe calls itנֵס:a banner

רַשִׁ״י

כלAnyoneהנשוך.that was bittenאֲפִלּוּevenכֶלֶבa dogאוֹorחֲמוֹרa donkeyנוֹשְׁכוֹbit himהָיָהhe wasנִזּוֹקinjuredוּמִתְנַוְּנֶהand wasting awayוְהוֹלֵךְ,continuallyאֶלָּאbutשֶׁנְּשִׁיכַתthat the bite ofהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentמְמַהֶרֶתhastensלְהָמִית,to killלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is saidכָּאןhereוְרָאָהand he sawאֹתוֹit—רְאִיָּהa seeingבְעָלְמָאmerely—וּבִנְשִׁיכַתbut regarding the bite ofהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentנֶאֱמַרit is said"וְהִבִּיט"and he gazed—וְהָיָהand it wasאִםifנָשַׁךְbitהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentאֶת—אִישׁa manוְהִבִּיטand he gazedוְגוֹ'etc.—שֶׁלֹּאfor notהָיָהwasמְמַהֵרquickנְשׁוּךְone bitten byהַנַּחַשׁthe serpentלְהִתְרַפְּאוֹתto be healedאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·מַבִּיטhe gazedבּוֹat itבְּכַוָּנָה;with intentוְאָמְרוּand saidרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisוְכִיand doesנָחָשׁa serpentמֵמִיתcause deathאוֹorמְחַיֶּה?give lifeאֶלָּא,butבִּזְמַןat the timeשֶׁהָיוּthat wereיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelמִסְתַּכְּלִיןlookingכְּלַפֵּיtowardמַעְלָהaboveוּמְשַׁעְבְּדִיןand subjectingאֶת—לִבָּםtheir heartלַאֲבִיהֶםto their FatherשֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִםWho is in Heavenהָיוּthey wereמִתְרַפְּאִים,healedוְאִםand ifלָאוnotהָיוּthey wereנִמּוֹקִיםwasting awayראשRoshהשנהHashanahכ"ט29:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיַּעַשׂAnd he madeמֹשֶׁהMosheנְחַשׁa serpent ofנְחֹשֶׁתcopperוַיְשִׂמֵהוּand he placed itעַלuponהַנֵּסthe poleוְהָיָהand it wasאִםifנָשַׁךְbitהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentאֶת—אִישׁa manוְהִבִּיטand he lookedאֶלtowardנְחַשׁthe serpent ofהַנְּחֹשֶׁתthe copperוָחָי׃and he lived

רַשִׁ״י

נחשA serpentנחשת.of copperלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it saidלוֹto himלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹto make itשֶׁלofנְחֹשֶׁת,copperאֶלָּאbutאָמַרsaidמֹשֶׁה,Mosheהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heקוֹרְאוֹcalls itנָחָשׁa serpentוַאֲנִיand Iאֶעֱשֶׂנּוּwill make itשֶׁלofנְחֹשֶׁת,copperלָשׁוֹןa termנוֹפֵלfallingעַלuponלָשׁוֹןa termבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbahל"א31:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיִּסְעוּAnd they journeyedבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedבְּאֹבֹת׃in Oboth

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיִּסְעוּAnd they journeyedמֵאֹבֹתfrom Obothוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedבְּעִיֵּיin the ruins ofהָעֲבָרִיםAbarimבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessאֲשֶׁרwhichעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofמוֹאָבMoavמִמִּזְרַחfrom the rising ofהַשָּׁמֶשׁ׃the sun

רַשִׁ״י

בעייIn the ruins ofהעברים.AbarimלֹאnotיָדַעְתִּיI knowלָמָּהwhyנִקְרָאwas calledשְׁמָםtheir nameעִיִּים,Iyimוְעִיand a ruinלְשׁוֹןis a term ofחָרְבָּהdestructionהִיאit—דָּבָרa thingהַטָּאוּטsweptבְּמַטְאֲטֵא,with a broomוְהָעַיִ"ןand the Ayinבּוֹin itיְסוֹדis rootלְבַדָּהּ,aloneוְהוּאand itמִלְּשׁוֹןis from the term"יָעִים"shovelsשמותShemosכ"ז27,"וְיָעָהand it shall sweepבָרָד"hailישעיהוYeshayahuכ"ח28:

רַשִׁ״י

העברים.Ha'avarimדֶּרֶךְthe road ofמַעֲבַרthe pass ofהָעוֹבְרִיםthose who passשָׁםthereאֶת—הַרMountנְבוֹNevoאֶלtoאֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנַעַן,Kenaanשֶׁהוּאwhich itמַפְסִיקseparatesבֵּיןbetweenאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָבMoavלְאֶרֶץto the land ofאֱמוֹרִי:the Emori

רַשִׁ״י

עלonפניthe face ofמואבMoavממזרחfrom the east ofהשמש.the sunבְּמִזְרָחָהּin the east of herשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָב:Moav

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

מִשָּׁםFrom thereנָסָעוּthey journeyedוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedבְּנַחַלin the valley ofזָרֶד׃Zered

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

מִשָּׁםFrom thereנָסָעוּthey journeyedוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedמֵעֵבֶרfrom the side ofאַרְנוֹןArnonאֲשֶׁרwhich isבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessהַיֹּצֵאthat goes outמִגְּבוּלfrom the border ofהָאֱמֹרִיthe EmoriכִּיforאַרְנוֹןArnonגְּבוּלis the border ofמוֹאָבMoavבֵּיןbetweenמוֹאָבMoavוּבֵיןand betweenהָאֱמֹרִי׃the Emori

רַשִׁ״י

מגבלFrom the boundary ofהאמרי.the Emoriתְּחוּםthe boundary-line ofסוֹףthe end ofמֶצֶרthe borderשֶׁלָּהֶם,of theirsוְכֵןand likewiseגְּבוּלthe boundary ofמוֹאָבMoav—לְשׁוֹןan expression ofקָצֶהextremityוָסוֹף:and end

רַשִׁ״י

מעברFrom the side ofארנון.Arnonהִקִּיפוּthey went aroundאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָבMoavכָּלall ofדְּרוֹמָהּits southוּמִזְרָחָהּand its eastעַדuntilשֶׁבָּאוּthat they cameמֵעֵבֶרfrom the sideהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondלְאַרְנוֹןof Arnonבְּתוֹךְinto the midst ofאֶרֶץthe land ofהָאֱמוֹרִיthe Emoriבִּצְפוֹנָהּon its northשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofמוֹאָב:Moav

רַשִׁ״י

היצאthat cometh outמגבלfrom the boundaryהאמרי.of the Amoritesרְצוּעָהa stripיוֹצְאָהjutted outמִגְּבוּלfrom the boundaryהָאֱמוֹרִיof the Amoritesוְהִיאand itשֶׁלbelonged toאֱמוֹרִיִּים,the Amoritesוְנִכְנֶסֶתand enteredלִגְבוּלinto the boundaryמוֹאָבof MoabעַדuntoאַרְנוֹןArnonשֶׁהוּאwhich isגְּבוּלthe boundaryמוֹאָב,of Moabוְשָׁםand thereחָנוּencampedיִשְֹרָאֵלIsraelוְלֹאand they did notבָאוּenterלִגְבוּלinto the boundaryמוֹאָב,of MoabכיforארנוןArnonגבולis the boundaryמואבof Moab,וְהֵםand theyלֹאdid notנָתְנוּgrantלָהֶםthemרְשׁוּתpermissionלַעֲבֹרto passבְּאַרְצָם,through their landוְאַעַ"פִּיand even thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notפֵרְשָׁהּstated it plainlyמֹשֶׁה,Mosheפֵּרְשָׁהּstated it plainlyיִפְתָּח,Yiftachכְּמוֹasשֶׁאָמַרthat saidיִפְתָּחYiftachשופטיםShoftimי"א11"וְגַםand alsoאֶלuntoמֶלֶךְthe king ofמוֹאָבMoabשָׁלַחhe sentוְלֹאand he did notאָבָה",consentוּמֹשֶׁהand Mosheרְמָזָהּalluded to itדבריםDevarimב'2,"כַּאֲשֶׁרasעָשׂוּdidלִיunto meבְּנֵיthe children ofעֵשָׂוEsavהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּשֵׂעִירin Seirוְהַמּוֹאָבִיםand the Moabitesהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּעָר"in Ar—מָהwhatאֵלּוּtheseלֹאdid notנְתָנוּםpermit themלַעֲבֹרto passבְּתוֹךְthroughאַרְצָםtheir landאֶלָּאbutהִקִּיפוּםmade them travel roundסָבִיב,aboutאַףso tooמוֹאָבMoabכֵּן:did

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

עַלThereforeכֵּן·יֵאָמַרit is saidבְּסֵפֶרin the Book ofמִלְחֲמֹתthe Wars ofיְהוָהHashemאֶת—וָהֵבVahevבְּסוּפָהin Suphahוְאֶתand —הַנְּחָלִיםthe valleys ofאַרְנוֹן׃Arnon

רַשִׁ״י

עלThereforeכן·יאמר.it will be saidעַלaboutחֲנִיָּהencampmentזוֹthisוְנִסִּיםand miraclesשֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּthat were wroughtבָהּat itיאמרit will be toldבספרin the book ofמלחמתthe wars ofה'Hashem—כְּשֶׁמְּסַפְּרִיםwhen they narrateנִסִּיםmiraclesשֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּthat were wroughtלַאֲבוֹתֵינוּfor our fathersיְסַפְּרוּthey will declareאֶת—וָהֵבVahevוגו':etc

רַשִׁ״י

אתEsוהב.Vahevכְּמוֹis likeאֶת—יָהֵב,Yahevכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁיֵּאָמֵרit is saidמִןfromיעדYadוָעֵד,Va'edכֵּןsoיֵאָמֵרit is saidמִןfromיהבYahavוָהֵב,Vahevוְהַוָּי"וand the vavיְסוֹדa root letterהוּא,it isכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayאֶת—אֲשֶׁרthat whichיָהַבHe gaveלָהֶםto themוְהִרְבָּהand He multipliedנִסִּיםmiraclesבְּיַםat the Sea ofסוּף:Reeds

רַשִׁ״י

ואתAnd —הנחליםthe valleys ofארנון.ArnonכְּשֵׁםJust asשֶׁמְּסַפְּרִיםthey relateבְּנִסֵּיthe miracles ofיַםthe Sea ofסוּף,Reedsכָּךְsoיֵשׁthere isלְסַפֵּרto relateבְּנִסֵּיthe miracles ofנַחֲלֵיthe valleys ofאַרְנוֹן,Arnonשֶׁאַףfor evenכָּאןhereנַעֲשׂוּwere madeנִסִּיםmiraclesגְּדוֹלִים,greatוּמָהAnd whatהֵםareהַנִּסִּים?the miracles

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וְאֶשֶׁדand the pouringהַנְּחָלִיםof the streamsאֲשֶׁרwhichנָטָהstretchedלְשֶׁבֶתto settleעָרArוְנִשְׁעַןand leanedלִגְבוּלto the border ofמוֹאָב׃Moav

רַשִׁ״י

ואשדAnd the pouringהנחלים.of the valleysתַּרְגּוּםthe translationשֶׁלofשֶׁפֶךְpouring"אֶשֶׁד"is eshed—שֶׁפֶךְthe pouringהַנְּחָלִיםof the valleysשֶׁנִּשְׁפַּךְwhere was pouredשָׁםthereדַּםthe blood ofאֱמוֹרִיִּים,the Amoritesשֶׁהָיוּwho wereנֶחְבָּאִיםhidingשָׁם,thereלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat wereהֶהָרִיםthe mountainsגְּבוֹהִיםhighוְהַנַּחַלand the valleyעָמֹקdeepוְקָצָרand narrowוְהֶהָרִיםand the mountainsסְמוּכִיםcloseזֶהthisלָזֶהto this—אָדָםa manעוֹמֵדstandsעַלuponהָהָרthe mountainמִזֶּהfrom thisוּמְדַבֵּרand speaksעִםwithחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowבָּהָרon the mountainהַזֶּהthis—וְהַדֶּרֶךְand the roadעוֹבֵרpassesבְּתוֹךְthroughהַנַּחַל,the valleyאָמְרוּsaidאֱמוֹרִיִּים,the Amoritesכְּשֶׁיִּכָּנְסוּwhen enterיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלָאָרֶץthe landלְתוֹךְintoהַנַּחַלthe valleyלַעֲבֹר,to passנֵצֵאwe will go outמִןfromהַמְּעָרוֹתthe cavesשֶׁבֶּהָרִיםthat are in mountainsשֶׁלְּמַעְלָהaboveמֵהֶם,themוְנַהַרְגֵםand we will kill themבְּחִצִּיםwith arrowsוְאַבְנֵיand stones ofבָּלִיסְטְרָאוֹת,catapultsוְהָיוּAnd wereאוֹתָןthoseהַנְּקָעִיםcleftsבָּהָרin the mountainשֶׁלofצַדthe side ofמוֹאָב,Moabוּבָהָרand in the mountainשֶׁלofצַדthe side ofאֱמוֹרִיִּיםthe Amoritesהָיוּthere wereכְּנֶגֶדoppositeאוֹתָןthoseנְקָעִיםcleftsכְּמִיןlikeקְרָנוֹתhornsוְשָׁדַיִםand breastsבּוֹלְטִיןprotrudingלַחוּץ,outwardכֵּיוָןWhenשֶׁבָּאוּcameיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלַעֲבֹר,to passנִזְדַּעְזַעshookהָהָרthe mountainשֶׁלofאֶרֶץthe land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelכְּשִׁפְחָהlike a maidservantהַיּוֹצֵאתwho goes outלְהַקְבִּילto greetפְּנֵיthe face ofגְבִרְתָּהּ,her mistressוְנִתְקָרֵבand approachedלְצַדto the side ofהָהָרthe mountainשֶׁלofמוֹאָבMoabוְנִכְנְסוּand enteredאוֹתָןthoseהַשָּׁדַיִםbreastsלְתוֹךְintoאוֹתָןthoseנְקָעִיםcleftsוַהֲרָגוּם,and killed themוְזֶהוּand this isאֲשֶׁרwhichנָטָהinclinedלְשֶׁבֶתto dwellעָרAr—שֶׁהָהָרthat the mountainנָטָהinclinedמִמְּקוֹמוֹfrom its placeוְנִתְקָרֵבand approachedלְצַדto the side ofמוֹאָבMoabוְנִדְבַּקand cleavedבּוֹ,to itוְזֶהוּand this isוְנִשְׁעַןand leanedלִגְבוּלto the border ofמוֹאָבMoabתנחומא;TanchumaברכותBerachotנ"ד54b:

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וּמִשָּׁםAnd from thereבְּאֵרָהto Beerהִואit isהַבְּאֵרthe wellאֲשֶׁרwhichאָמַרsaidיְהוָהHashemלְמֹשֶׁהto MosheאֱסֹףAssembleאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleוְאֶתְּנָהand I will giveלָהֶםto themמָיִם׃water

רַשִׁ״י

ומשםAnd from thereבארה.to the wellמִשָּׁםfrom thereבָּאcameהָאֶשֶׁדthe flowאֶלtoהַבְּאֵר;the wellכֵּיצַד?howאָמַרsaidהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneמִיwhoמוֹדִיעַwill informלְבָנַיmy childrenהַנִּסִּיםthe miraclesהַלָּלוּ?theseהַמָּשָׁלthe proverbאוֹמֵרsays"נָתַתָּyou have givenפַּתbreadלְתִינוֹקto a childהוֹדִיעַlet knowלְאִמּוֹ".its motherלְאַחַרafterשֶׁעָבְרוּthey passedחָזְרוּreturnedהֶהָרִיםthe mountainsלִמְקוֹמָם,to their placeוְהַבְּאֵרand the wellיָרְדָהwent downלְתוֹךְintoהַנַּחַלthe valleyוְהֶעֶלְתָהand brought upמִשָּׁםfrom thereדַּםthe blood ofהַהֲרוּגִיםthe slainוּזְרוֹעוֹתand armsוְאֵבָרִיםand limbsוּמוֹלַכְתָּןand carried themסָבִיבaroundהַמַּחֲנֶה,the campוְיִשְׂרָאֵלand Israelרָאוּsawוְאָמְרוּand sangשִׁירָה:a song

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

אָזThenיָשִׁירsangיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶת—הַשִּׁירָהthe songהַזֹּאתthisעֲלִיRise upבְאֵרO wellעֱנוּsingלָהּ׃to it

רַשִׁ״י

עליrise upבאר.O wellמִתּוֹךְfrom withinהַנַּחַלthe valleyוְהַעֲלִיand bring upמַהwhatשֶּׁאַתְּthat youמַעֲלָה;bring upוּמִנַּיִןand from whereשֶׁהַבְּאֵרthat the wellהוֹדִיעָהannouncedלָהֶם?to themשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וּמִשָּׁםand from thereבְּאֵרָה",to the wellוְכִיand is itמִשָּׁםfrom thereהָיְתָה,it wasוַהֲלֹאbut beholdמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבָּעִיםfortyשָׁנָהyearsהָיְתָהit wasעִמָּהֶם?with themאֶלָּאratherשֶׁיָּרְדָהthat it descendedלְפַרְסֵםto publicizeאֶת—הַנִּסִּיםthe miraclesתנחומאTanchuma;וְכֵןand likewiseאָזthenיָשִׁירhe sang…הַשִּׁירָהthe songהַזֹּאתthisנֶאֶמְרָהwas saidבְּסוֹףat the end ofאַרְבָּעִיםfortyוְהַבְּאֵרand the wellנִתְּנָהwas givenלָהֶםto themמִתְּחִלַּתfrom the beginning ofאַרְבָּעִים,fortyמָהwhatרָאָהdid it seeלִכָּתֵבto be writtenכָּאן?hereאֶלָּאratherהָעִנְיָןthe matterהַזֶּהthisנִדְרָשׁis expoundedלְמַעְלָהaboveהֵימָנוּ:from it

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

בְּאֵרA wellחֲפָרוּהָdug itשָׂרִיםofficersכָּרוּהָexcavated itנְדִיבֵיthe nobles ofהָעָםthe peopleבִּמְחֹקֵקwith the lawgiverבְּמִשְׁעֲנֹתָםwith their staffsוּמִמִּדְבָּרand from Midbarמַתָּנָה׃to Mattanah

רַשִׁ״י

בארThe wellחפרוה.they digged itזֹאתthisהִיאisהַבְּאֵרthe wellאֲשֶׁרwhichחֲפָרוּהָdigged itשָׂרִיםprinces—מֹשֶׁהMosheוְאַהֲרֹן:and Aaron

רַשִׁ״י

במשענתם.with their staffבַּמַּטֶּה:with the staff

רַשִׁ״י

וממדבר.and from the wildernessנִתְּנָהit was givenלָהֶם:to them

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וּמִמַּתָּנָהand from Mattanahנַחֲלִיאֵלto Nachalielוּמִנַּחֲלִיאֵלand from Nachalielבָּמוֹת׃to Bamoth

רַשִׁ״י

וממתנהAnd from the giftנחליאל.Nachalielכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:like its Targum

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וּמִבָּמוֹתand from Bamothהַגַּיְאthe valleyאֲשֶׁרthatבִּשְׂדֵהis in the field ofמוֹאָבMoavרֹאשׁthe peak ofהַפִּסְגָּהthe Pisgahוְנִשְׁקָפָהand overlookingעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַיְשִׁימֹן׃the wasteland

רַשִׁ״י

ומבמותAnd from the heightsהגיאthe valleyאשרwhichבשדהis in the field ofמואב.MoavכִּיforשָׁםthereמֵתdiedמֹשֶׁהMosheוְשָׁםand thereבָּטְלָהceasedהַבְּאֵר;the wellדָּ"אַ,Another explanationכָּרוּהָThey dug itנְדִיבֵיthe nobles ofהָעָםthe people—כָּלeveryנָשִׂיאprinceוְנָשִׂיאand princeכְּשֶׁהָיוּwhen they wereחוֹנִיםencampingנוֹטֵלwould takeמַקְלוֹhis staffוּמוֹשֵׁךְand drawאֵצֶלtowardדִּגְלוֹhis bannerוּמַחֲנֵהוּ,and his campוּמֵיand the waters ofהַבְּאֵרthe wellנִמְשָׁכִיןwere drawnדֶּרֶךְby way ofאוֹתוֹthatסִימָןmarkוּבָאִיןand would comeלִפְנֵיbeforeחֲנִיַּתthe camp ofכָּלeveryשֵׁבֶטtribeוָשֵׁבֶטand tribeתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

במחקק.Through the lawgiverעַלbyפִּיthe word ofמֹשֶׁהMosheשֶׁנִּקְרָאwho is calledמְחוֹקֵק,lawgiverשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"כִּיforשָׁםthereחֶלְקַתthe portion ofמְחֹקֵקthe lawgiverסָפוּן"is hiddenדבריםDevarimל"ג33;וְלָמָּהand whyלֹאnotנִזְכַּרwas mentionedמֹשֶׁהMosheבְּשִׁירָהin the songזוֹ?thisלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלָּקָהthat he was punishedעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofהַבְּאֵר,the wellוְכֵיוָןand sinceשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִזְכַּרwas mentionedשְׁמוֹthe name ofשֶׁלofמֹשֶׁהMosheלֹאnotנִזְכַּרwas mentionedשְׁמוֹthe name ofשֶׁלofהַקָּבָּ"ה,the Holy One Blessed Be Heמָשָׁלa parableלְמֶלֶךְto a kingשֶׁהָיוּwho wereמְזַמְּנִיןinvitingאוֹתוֹhimלִסְעוּדָה,to a feastאָמַרhe saidאִםifאוֹהֲבִיmy friendשָׁםis thereאֲנִיIשָׁם,am thereוְאִםand ifלָאוnotאֵינִיI am notהוֹלֵךְgoingתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

ראשThe top ofהפסגה.the heightכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹas its Targum"רֵישׁthe top ofרָמָתָא":the height

רַשִׁ״י

פסגה.Pisgahלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofגֹּבַהּ,heightוְכֵןand so"פַּסְּגוּmake highאַרְמְנוֹתֶיהָ"her palacesתהיליםTehillimמ"חforty-eight—הַגְבִּיהוּelevateאַרְמְנוֹתֶיהָ:her palaces

רַשִׁ״י

ונשקפה.And it looksאוֹתָהּthatהַפִּסְגָּהsummitעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeשֶׁשְּׁמוֹwhose name isיְשִׁימוֹן,Yeshimonוְהוּאand it isלְשׁוֹןa term ofמִדְבָּרwildernessשֶׁהוּאwhich isשָׁמֵם;desolateדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationוְנִשְׁקָפָהand it looksהַבְּאֵרthe wellעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַיְשִׁימוֹן,the Yeshimonשֶׁנִּגְנְזָהfor it was hiddenבְּיַמָּהּin the seaשֶׁלofטְבֶרְיָא,Tveryaוְהָעוֹמֵדand one who standsעַלuponהַיְשִׁימוֹןthe Yeshimonמַבִּיטlooks outוְרוֹאֶהand seesכְּמִיןlike a kind ofכְּבָרָהsieveבַּיָּם,in the seaוְהִיאand it isהַבְּאֵר,the wellכָּךְthusדָּרַשׁexpoundedרַבִּיRabbiתַנְחוּמָא:Tanchuma

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the petirah of Aaron HaKohen on Mount Hor and the subsequent thirty days of mourning by all of Klal Yisrael. After defeating the king of Arad through Hashem's salvation, the people complain about the wilderness conditions and the manna, prompting a plague of fiery serpents. Upon their teshuvah, Moshe Rabbeinu is commanded to fashion a copper serpent on a pole, bringing healing to all who look upward toward Heaven. The Bnei Yisrael then journey through various stations, arriving at the Arnon border, where they sing the beautiful 'Shirah'—the Song of the Well—praising the miraculous well of water that Hashem provided for them through the staffs of the chieftains.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

When the Bnei Yisrael traveled around Edom, the Torah tells us that "the soul of the people became short on the way." The long, winding journey, the lack of immediate comfort, and the feeling of going in circles wore them down until they began to complain. It is so easy to lose our patience and our emunah when the road of life gets long and we cannot see the destination.

But look at what happened next: when they looked up at the copper serpent on the pole, they were healed. As Chazal teach us in the Mishnah, it wasn't the serpent itself that healed them, but rather that when they looked upward, they subjected their hearts to their Father in Heaven. The cure for a "shortness of soul" on a long journey is to lift our eyes and remember Who is leading us.

When you feel overwhelmed by the daily grind or frustrated that your personal yeshua is taking longer than expected, do not let your spirit grow short. Lift your eyes to Hashem and realize that every twist and turn is part of His master plan for you.

Today, when you face a delay, a frustration, or a long task that tests your patience, pause for three seconds, look up toward Heaven, and say: "Hashem, I trust that You are leading me exactly where I need to go."