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Shelishi
- If Hashem desires to bring us, He will bring us there, it is a land of milk and honey. Do not rebel against Hashem, and do not fear the other nations as they will be like bread to us. Their protection has departed, and Hashem will be with us. Do not fear!
- The entire nation wanted to pelt them with stones, and the glory of Hashem suddenly appeared in the Ohel Moed to all the Jewish people.
- Hashem’s response:
- Hashem responds with a threat of annihilation: Hashem lamented to Moshe of the state of the nation that after all the miracles He has done they still do not believe in Him and anger Him. “I will smite the nation and annihilate them and make a new greater nation from you Moshe.”
- Moshe’s defense: Moshe pleaded to Hashem not to destroy the nation, as this would cause the Egyptians and other nations to say that You could not conquer the promised land and therefore you made them die in the desert. Now, strengthen Your power “Hashem, Erech Apayim Verav Chesed, Nosei Avon Vapesha Venakei.” Please forgive this nation just as you have forgiven them in Egypt until now. Hashem replied that He agrees to forgive them as requested.
- The punishment: Nonetheless, the people will not go unpunished. All those who experienced and saw My miracles in Egypt and in the desert and challenged Me ten times and did not heed My voice, they will not see the promised land. However, My servant Kalev, being he was not part of the slanderous report, he will enter the land.
- Travel: The Amalekites and Canaanites dwelled in the valley, and Hashem instructed the Jewish people to return and journey towards the desert the next day.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 14:8–25 (After the Spies · Detailed‑Shrunk)
14:8–9 — Yehoshua & Calev’s Message
Q1. What is the condition for success?
A:
➡️ “If Hashem desires us” → success depends on obedience, not strength.
Q2. What does “אל תמרדו” teach?
A:
➡️ If you don’t rebel, you won’t fear.
Q3. What does “לחמנו הם” mean?
A:
➡️ We will consume them as easily as bread.
Q4. What is “סר צלם”?
A:
➡️ Their protection is gone:
- Their righteous protector (Iyov) died
- Or Hashem’s protection left them
14:10 — Threat and Divine Response
Q5. What did the people plan?
A:
➡️ To stone Yehoshua and Calev
Q6. What stopped them?
A:
➡️ Hashem’s glory appeared (cloud descended)
14:11 — Hashem’s Complaint
Q7. What is “עד אנה”?
A:
➡️ “How long?”
Q8. What does “ינאצוני” mean?
A:
➡️ They are provoking/rejecting Hashem
Q9. Why is this so serious?
A:
➡️ After so many miracles, they still don’t believe
14:12 — Proposed Destruction
Q10. What does “אורישנו” mean?
A:
➡️ To wipe them out
Q11. How would Hashem replace them?
A:
➡️ Make Moshe into a new nation
14:13–16 — Moshe’s Argument
Q12. What is Moshe’s first argument?
A:
➡️ The Egyptians will hear and misinterpret
Q13. What will nations say?
A:
➡️ “Hashem could not defeat Canaan”
Q14. What is Moshe protecting?
A:
➡️ Kiddush Hashem (God’s honor in the world)
14:17–18 — Mercy Request
Q15. What is “יגדל נא כח ה‘”?
A:
➡️ Let Hashem’s power of mercy prevail
Q16. What does “ארך אפים” include?
A:
➡️ Patience toward both:
- Righteous
- Wicked
Q17. Difference between “ונקה” and “לא ינקה”?
A:
- ונקה → forgives those who repent
- לא ינקה → does not forgive without repentance
14:19–20 — Forgiveness
Q18. On what basis did Hashem forgive?
A:
➡️ Because of Moshe’s argument
(“so nations won’t say…”)
14:21–23 — The Decree
Q19. What does “חי אני” indicate?
A:
➡️ An oath
Q20. Why not destroy them immediately?
A:
➡️ To avoid Chillul Hashem
Instead → punishment spread over time
Q21. What will be their punishment?
A:
➡️ They will not enter the land
Q22. What are the “10 tests”?
A:
Examples:
- Sea complaints
- Manna complaints (twice)
- Quail complaints (twice)
- Water complaints (twice)
- Golden Calf
- Spies
14:24 — Reward of Calev
Q23. What is “רוח אחרת”?
A:
➡️ He had two intentions:
- Spoke like others (to gain trust)
- In heart → loyal to Hashem
Q24. What reward does he receive?
A:
➡️ Chevron (place he prayed)
Q25. What does “וימלא אחרי” mean?
A:
➡️ Served Hashem with full heart
14:25 — Change of Direction
Q26. Why turn back to the desert?
A:
➡️ Because Hashem is no longer with them
Q27. Why mention Amalek & Canaanites again?
A:
➡️ To show they would now be defeated if they continued