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Shevi’i
- The Slav arrive: Hashem brought a wind that carried with it the Slav pheasant birds from the sea. They swarmed the camp for the distance of one day’s travel from each direction. They were approximately two Amos height from the ground. That entire day and night and next day the nation collected the Slav. The least that a person gathered was ten heaps worth of Slav. The [dead] birds were spread and piled throughout the camp. While the people ate the bird, while the meat was still in between their teeth, the wrath of Hashem smote them and many died. That area was named “Kivros Hataavah,” as in the area was buried the people who were craving.
- From Kivros Hatava the nation traveled to Chatzeiros.
- Miriam and Aaron speak against Moshe:
- The slander: Miriam and Aaron spoke regarding the black woman that Moshe married saying that it is not only to him that Hashem speaks but also to them [and hence why is he celibate]. Hashem heard, and Moshe was the humblest man on earth.
- Hashem punishes Miriam with Tzaraas: Hashem suddenly appeared and summoned Moshe, Aaron and Miriam to come to the Ohel Moed. Hashem asked for Aaron and Miriam, and explained to them that Moshe is unlike anyone else in prophecy as “I speak to Him face to face without any riddles and he sees the image of G-d constantly. Why then did you not fear speaking against My servant Moshe.” Hashem’s anger flared up and He left. When the cloud ascended from the Ohel Moed, Miriam was stricken with Tzaraas as white as snow and Aaron noticed. Aaron asked Moshe for forgiveness and to have mercy on their sister. Moshe screamed to Hashem in supplication that He should heal her. Hashem instructed for her to be placed outside the camp for seven days. The camp did not travel during those days until Miriam’s return.
- They then traveled from Chatzeiros to Midbar Paran.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 11:30–12:16 (Quail & Miriam · Detailed‑Shrunk)
11:30 — Return to Camp
Q1. What does “וַיֵּאָסֵף משה” mean?
A: Moshe returned into the camp, each person to his tent.
Q2. Why is this mentioned?
A: To teach:
➡️ Hashem did not punish until the righteous were safely inside.
11:31 — The Quail
Q3. What does “וַיָּגָז” mean?
A: A wind that swept or cut through and brought quail.
Q4. What does “וַיִּטֹּשׁ” mean?
A: The quail were spread out around the camp.
Q5. Why were they “two cubits high”?
A: So people could catch them easily:
- Not too high → no stretching
- Not too low → no bending
11:32 — Gathering
Q6. How much did each gather?
A: Even the least collected 10 chomer.
Q7. Who were the “least”?
A: The lazy and weak still gathered large amounts.
Q8. What does “וישׁטחו” mean?
A: They spread the quail into layers to dry/store.
11:33 — Punishment
Q9. What does “טרם יכרת” mean?
A:
- Before they finished eating, OR
- Before they even bit → they died immediately
11:34 — Name of the Place
Q10. Why “קברות התאוה”?
A: Because those who craved excessively were buried there
12:1 — Miriam Speaks
Q11. What does “ותדבר” imply?
A: Harsh speech (דיבור = severity)
Q12. Why is Miriam mentioned first?
A: She initiated the conversation.
Q13. How did Miriam know Moshe separated from his wife?
A: Through Tzipporah’s remark after Eldad & Medad’s prophecy.
12:1 — “האשה הכושית”
Q14. What does “כושית” mean?
A: A euphemism → exceptional beauty.
Q15. Why use such a term?
A:
- Everyone recognizes a Cushite’s distinctness →
- So too her beauty was universally visible
Q16. Why repeat “כושית”?
A: To show she was perfect in both beauty and character
12:2 — Complaint
Q17. What was their argument?
A:
“We also receive prophecy — yet we did not separate!”
12:3 — Moshe’s Humility
Q18. What does “ענו מאד” mean?
A: Extremely humble and tolerant
12:4 — Sudden Rebuke
Q19. Why “פתאום”?
A:
Hashem appeared suddenly →
They were unprepared (ritually impure)
Q20. What lesson was this?
A: Moshe separated because:
➡️ Hashem speaks unpredictably with him
12:5 — Separation from Moshe
Q21. Why call only Aaron & Miriam aside?
A:
- Do not praise someone fully in his presence
- Also so Moshe would not hear the rebuke
12:6–8 — Prophecy Difference
Q22. How do regular prophets receive prophecy?
A: Through:
- Dreams or visions
- Indirect communication
Q23. How is Moshe different?
A:
- Face-to-face clarity
- No riddles
- Direct speech
Q24. What does “ותמונת ה’ יביט” mean?
A: He sees the back of Hashem’s Presence (not full essence)
Q25. Why repeat “בעבדי במשה”?
A: To stress:
➡️ He is both My servant AND Moshe → doubly deserving respect
12:9–10 — Miriam’s Punishment
Q26. Why was only Miriam punished?
A: She initiated the speech
Q27. What does “והענן סר” teach?
A: Like a king leaving → only afterward punishment occurs
12:11–12 — Aaron’s Plea
Q28. What does “נואַלְנוּ” mean?
A: “We acted foolishly”
Q29. Why compare her to a dead person?
A:
Metzora = like dead (separates and defiles)
Q30. Why use indirect wording (“his mother”)?
A: Torah uses refined speech (euphemism)
12:13 — Moshe’s Prayer
Q31. Why is Moshe’s prayer so short?
A: So people won’t say:
➡️ He is prolonging prayer for his sister
Q32. What do we learn from “נא… נא”?
A: Always begin requests with words of supplication
12:14 — Hashem’s Response
Q33. Why compare to a father spitting?
A:
➡️ If human shame = 7 days →
Divine displeasure should be more, but limited to 7 days (no harsher than source)
12:15 — Waiting for Miriam
Q34. Why did the entire nation wait?
A: Reward:
➡️ She once waited for Moshe → now all Israel waits for he
12:16 — Journey Continues
Q35. Where did they go next?
A: Midbar Paran