Shelishi (Sheiyni when combined with Balak)
- Moshe hits the rock: Hashem instructed Moshe to take the staff and gather the people, and Aaron, and speak to the rock in front of them, and it will give water to them and their animals. Moshe did as Hashem instructed him, and he took the staff from before G-d. Moshe and Aaron gathered the nation before the rock and he chastised the Jewish people saying, “Listen rebels, will this rock give forth water for you?” Moshe lifted his hand and he hit the rock twice with his staff and a lot of water came out, and the congregation and their animals drank.
- Hashem admonishes and punishes Moshe and Aaron: Hashem told Moshe and Aaron that because they did not believe in Him, and sanctify Him before the Jewish people, they will not enter into the Promised Land. This episode is called Mei Meriva as this is the area where Bnei Yisrael fought with Hashem and He was sanctified through them.
- Moshe asks for passage through Edom:
- The request: Moshe sent messengers from Kadeish to the king of Edom asking permission to pass through their land. Moshe told him of all the troubles that their brother, the Jewish people have surpassed. He told him of the suffering of the Jewish people in Mitzraim and how Hashem saved them after they screamed to Him. “We are now in the city of Kadeish, which is at the edge of your border, please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through fields or vineyards and will not drink the well water. We shall travel the king’s road and not swerve right or left.”
- The response: Edom refused to allow the Jewish people to pass, and threatened to greet them with the sword. The Jewish people replied [with a counteroffer] that they will travel through the highway and drink their waters for payment. Still, the Edomites refused and they came to greet the Jewish people with a heavy army. The Jewish people [had no choice] and swerved away to a different direction.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 20:7–13
20:8 — Hashem’s Instruction
Q1. What did Hashem command Moshe to do?
A:
➡️ Gather the people
➡️ Speak to the rock
➡️ It will give water
Q2. Why mention “and their animals”?
A:
➡️ Hashem cares about even
➡️ Israel’s possessions and animals
20:10 — Moshe’s Words
Q3. Why does Moshe call them “מורים” (rebels)?
A:
➡️ They:
- Challenged Moshe
- Tried to teach their teacher
➡️ Rashi: foolish : disobedient
Q4. Why did Moshe say “המן הסלע הזה נוציא”?
A:
➡️ They didn’t recognize the correct rock
➡️ The rock had moved among others
➡️ People said: “any rock will do”
20:11 — Striking the Rock
Q5. What did Moshe do instead of speaking?
A:
➡️ He struck the rock twice
Q6. Why twice?
A:
➡️ First strike → only drops
➡️ Second → abundant water
Q7. Why didn’t the first strike work well?
A:
➡️ Because Hashem commanded:
➡️ Speak, not strike
20:12 — The Sin
Q8. What was Moshe and Aharon’s sin?
A:
➡️ “לא האמנתם בי” →
➡️ Lack of full trust : sanctification of Hashem
Q9. What was the missed opportunity?
A:
➡️ If they had spoken to the rock:
- It would obey
- People would learn:
→ If rock obeys → we should too
Q10. What was the punishment?
A:
➡️ They will not enter Eretz Yisrael
Q11. Why is this emphasized?
A:
➡️ To show:
➡️ This was the main reason they didn’t enter
(not other sins)
Q12. Why was the punishment public?
A:
➡️ Because the mistake was
➡️ in front of the entire nation
20:12 — “לכן” (Therefore)
Q13. Why is “לכן” used?
A:
➡️ Indicates an oath
➡️ The decree was final
20:13 — Mei Merivah
Q14. Why is it called “מי מריבה”?
A:
➡️ Because Bnei Yisrael
➡️ argued with Hashem
Q15. How was Hashem sanctified here?
A:
➡️ Through judgment of tzaddikim
➡️ People learn to fear and respect Hashem
Q16. What deeper idea does Rashi bring?
A:
➡️ This water was foreseen in Egypt
➡️ Leading Pharaoh’s decree about water
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 20:14–21 (Edom Refusal)
20:14 — “אחיך ישראל”
Q1. Why does Moshe emphasize “your brother Israel”?
A. Moshe is reminding Edom that they are both descendants of Avraham and that the decree of exile applied to both of them. His message is that Edom avoided the suffering while Israel endured it.
Q2. What does “אתה ידעת את כל התלאה” mean?
A. Moshe is saying that Edom knows about Israel’s suffering because Esav separated from Yaakov in order to avoid the burden, leaving the responsibility of exile upon Israel.
20:15 — Egypt Suffering
Q3. What does “וירעו לנו” mean?
A. It means that the Egyptians caused Israel great suffering and hardships.
Q4. Why mention “and our forefathers”?
A. This teaches that the patriarchs feel pain even after death when Israel suffers.
20:16 — Crying to Hashem
Q5. Why did Hashem respond to Israel’s prayers?
A. Because of Yitzchak’s blessing, “the voice is the voice of Yaakov,” meaning that when Israel cries out to Hashem, He responds.
Q6. What does “מלאך” mean in this verse?
A. It refers to Moshe, showing that prophets are called messengers of Hashem.
20:17 — Request to Pass Through
Q7. What is Moshe’s argument in asking to pass through Edom?
A. He argues that Edom has no right to prevent them because they avoided the exile, so they should at least allow Israel to pass through their land.
Q8. Why does Moshe say they will not drink well water?
A. Even though Israel had their own water and manna, they would still buy food and water from Edom so that Edom would benefit.
Q9. What lesson is learned from this?
A. A person should support his host and buy from him even if he already has his own provisions.
Q10. What does “דרך המלך נלך” mean?
A. They will travel only on the main road.
Q11. Why do they promise not to turn right or left?
A. To ensure that neither they nor their animals cause any damage.
20:18 — Edom’s Threat
Q12. What is Edom’s response?
A. Edom refuses and threatens to come out against them with the sword.
Q13. What deeper idea is reflected here?
A. Israel represents the strength of prayer, while Edom represents reliance on physical force and the sword.
20:19 — Israel Reassures
Q14. What do Israel promise again?
A. They repeat that they will pay for everything and will not cause any harm.
Q15. What does “אין דבר” mean?
A. It means there is absolutely nothing to fear or worry about.
20:20 — Edom’s Force
Q16. What does “יד חזקה” mean here?
A. It means Edom came with strong military power.
Q17. What idea does this represent?
A. It reflects the blessing of Esav, “the hands are the hands of Esav,” meaning reliance on strength and combat.
20:21 — Final Outcome
Q18. What did Israel do after the refusal?
A. They turned away and did not fight, choosing peace.