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Chamishi
- A staff is gathered from each tribe and the staff of Aaron blossoms:
- Hashem instructed Moshe to take a staff from each one of the tribes of the Jewish people for a total of 12 staffs. Each tribe’s name is to be inscribed on their staff. Aaron’s name is to be written on the staff of the tribe of Levi. The staffs are to be placed in the Ohel Moed and whoever is chosen, his staff will blossom, and thus the complaint of the Jewish people will subside.
- Moshe spoke to the people of G-d’s instructions and the people did as Moshe commanded, and the staffs were placed by Moshe inside the Ohel. The next day, when Moshe entered the Ohel he found that the staff of Aaron had blossomed and grew almonds. Moshe removed all the staffs from before Hashem and each person took his staff.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 17:16–24
17:17 — The Staff Test
Q1. What was Hashem’s command?
A:
➡️ Take 12 staffs (one per tribal leader)
➡️ Write each name on his staff
Q2. What about the tribe of Levi?
A:
➡️ Aharon’s name is written on their single staff
Q3. Why only one staff for Levi?
A:
➡️ Even though Levi has Kohanim + Leviim,
➡️ It is still considered one tribe
17:19 — Placement
Q4. Where were the staffs placed?
A:
➡️ Before the Aron in the Mishkan
Q5. What is the purpose of this test?
A:
➡️ To show clearly whom Hashem has chosen
Q6. What does “והשכתי” mean?
A:
➡️ Hashem will calm/quiet the complaints
17:21 — Arrangement
Q7. Why place Aharon’s staff in the middle?
A:
➡️ So people won’t claim:
“It bloomed because it was closer to the Shechinah”
17:23 — The Miracle
Q8. What happened to Aharon’s staff?
A:
➡️ It went through stages:
- Blossomed
- Produced buds
- Gave ripe almonds
Q9. What is “ציץ”?
A:
➡️ The stage when blossoms fall and fruit begins forming
Q10. What does “ויגמול שקדים” mean?
A:
➡️ The fruit became fully recognizable almonds
Meaning of the Almonds
Q11. Why specifically almonds?
A:
➡️ Almonds grow very quickly
➡️ Lesson:
Those who challenge the priesthood are punished swiftly
17:24 — Outcome
Q12. What did Moshe do?
A:
➡️ Showed all staffs to Bnei Yisrael
Q13. What was the result?
A:
➡️ Everyone recognized Hashem’s choice of Aharon