{"id":2610,"date":"2017-06-08T18:25:46","date_gmt":"2017-06-09T00:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vegetatingwithleslie.org\/?p=2610"},"modified":"2017-06-15T14:13:38","modified_gmt":"2017-06-15T20:13:38","slug":"torah-ecology-behaalotkha-num-81-1216","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vegetatingwithleslie.org\/?p=2610","title":{"rendered":"Torah Ecology: Beha’alotkha (Num. 8:1-12:16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the perspective of structure, this section begins with the purification\u00a0of the Levites in 8:5, paralleling the story of Miriam’s leprosy and purification beginning in 12:1. Within that envelope are four complaints and outcomes.<\/p>\n

THE COMPLAINTS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL<\/p>\n

For a person seeking biblical wisdom on the ideal diet for human beings, this section is a goldmine. The details of the people “lusting” for “flesh”\u00a0and disdaining the gift of manna is matched\u00a0by G-d’s proclamation that the people will eat meat not one or two or five or ten or twenty days but “until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you.”<\/p>\n

The first complaint is diffuse, the people murmuring and “speaking evil” in the ears of the Lord. The consequence is immediate, a fire that ravages the boundaries of the camp.<\/p>\n

The second complaint is very specific, as the “rifraff” or “mixed multitude” recall longingly “the fish, which we were wont to eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic…” At the same time, they dismiss the manna, lovingly described in some detail…but not by the Congregation of Israel, inspired to join in with whoever constitutes the rifraff. Instead of appreciating the Lord’s saving action, represented in the manna, they weep at the doors of their tents.<\/p>\n

In the case of the second complaint, the response is first, in the wind, which brings and drops quail, 6 feet deep and a day’s journey all the way around, an unimaginable amount. The people gather for two entire days and a night, foregoing sleep, and “While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.” The second consequence of ingratitude coupled with gluttony is a plague.<\/p>\n

The order of events: Fire, a beneficial wind bringing an abundance of riches, followed by\u00a0plague. \u00a0Purification and a second chance. Indulgence, and a plague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u05d0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05e0\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e8\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05b8\u05d6\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4;<\/td>\n1<\/b> And the people were as murmurers, speaking evil in the ears of the LORD…<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u05d3<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05e1\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e1\u05bb\u05e3 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9, \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05d0\u05b2\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05bb\u05c1\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d2\u05b7\u05bc\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc, \u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b4\u05dc\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8.<\/td>\n4<\/b> And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting; and the children of Israel also wept on their part, and said: ‘Would that we were given flesh to eat!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d4<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d6\u05b8\u05db\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05b8\u05bc\u05d2\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8-\u05e0\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd, \u05d7\u05b4\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd; \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05bb\u05bc\u05c1\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b7\u05d8\u05b4\u05bc\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e6\u05b8\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd.<\/td>\n5<\/b> We remember the fish, which we were wont to eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d5<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05dc–\u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05df \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc.<\/td>\n6<\/b> but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all; we have nought save this manna to look to.’–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d6<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05df, \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2-\u05d2\u05b7\u05bc\u05d3 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0; \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9, \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u05d7.<\/td>\n7<\/b> Now the manna was like coriander seed, and the appearance thereof as the appearance of bdellium.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d7<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b0\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d8\u05b8\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd, \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d3\u05b8\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b9\u05db\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05bc\u05c1\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05bb\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea; \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9, \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05d8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b6\u05df.<\/td>\n8<\/b> The people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and seethed it in pots, and made cakes of it; and the taste of it was as the taste of a cake baked with oil.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d8<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d8\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4, \u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d9\u05b5\u05e8\u05b5\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05df, \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5.<\/td>\n9<\/b> And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u05e2 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d1\u05b9\u05bc\u05db\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5–\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1, \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b6\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d4\u05b3\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3, \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2.<\/td>\n10<\/b> And Moses heard the people weeping, family by family, every man at the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u05d0<\/b>\u00a0 …\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9, \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8-\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd \u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05db\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4.<\/td>\n1<\/b>\u00a0…and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and devoured in the uttermost part of the camp.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d1<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e7 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e4\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b5\u05bc\u05dc \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e7\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1.<\/td>\n2<\/b> And the people cried unto Moses; and Moses prayed unto the LORD, and the fire abated.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d2<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05dd-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0, \u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4.<\/td>\n3<\/b> And the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u05d9\u05d7<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05ea\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d7\u05b8\u05e8, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b6\u05bc\u05dd \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8–\u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05b8\u05d6\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b4\u05dc\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8, \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b6\u05bc\u05dd.<\/td>\n18<\/b> And say thou unto the people: Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow, and ye shall eat flesh; for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying: Would that we were given flesh to eat! for it was well with us in Egypt; therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d8<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3 \u05ea\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0, \u05e2\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd.<\/td>\n19<\/b> Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05db<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d7\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b5\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0:\u00a0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df, \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05ea\u05b6\u05bc\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8, \u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b4\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd.<\/td>\n20<\/b> but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you; because that ye have rejected the LORD who is among you, and have troubled Him with weeping, saying: Why, now, came we forth out of Egypt?’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u05dc\u05d0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05e0\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05d2\u05b8\u05d6 \u05e9\u05b7\u05c2\u05dc\u05b0\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05df-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05d8\u05b9\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05d3\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05d4, \u05e1\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4–\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5.<\/td>\n31<\/b> And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought across quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side, and a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the face of the earth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05dc\u05d1<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05e7\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05b7\u05bc\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d7\u05b3\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05d0\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b0\u05bc\u05c2\u05dc\u05b8\u05d5–\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05d8, \u05d0\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05e3 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b3\u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05d8\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7, \u05e1\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4.<\/td>\n32<\/b> And the people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails; he that gathered least gathered ten heaps; and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05dc\u05d2<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8, \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05df \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd–\u05d8\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d9\u05b4\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05b5\u05ea; \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05de\u05b7\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3.<\/td>\n33<\/b> While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05dc\u05d3<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05dd-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0, \u05e7\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05d0\u05b2\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05dd, \u05e7\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d5\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05dd.<\/td>\n34<\/b> And the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people that lusted.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

COMPLAINT OF MOSES<\/p>\n

Moses complains that G-d has placed an impossible burden on his, Moses’, shoulders in making him the leader of this people. He neither conceived nor gave birth to them, and it shouldn’t be his job to keep them fed according to their infantile desires. He complains that his load is too heavy. If this is going to continue to be the plan, G-d should just kill him.<\/p>\n

G-d’s solution to Moses’ complaint is administrative, much along the lines of Yitro\/Hobab at an early place in the text. G-d tells Moses to bring seventy elders of the people, and G-d will “take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee…” Fair enough, but “it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.” Does this mean they in fact were not providing the necessary assistance to Moses?<\/p>\n

The story continues to tell us, “there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad; and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were recorded, but had not gone out unto the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.” When someone comes to report that two not among the 70 are assuming the mantle of “prophecy” and Joshua advises to \u00a0“shut them in,” protecting Moses, his mentor, Moses replies, “Art thou jealous for my sake? would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His spirit upon them!” With these words, he at once affirms his own modesty, a characteristic that gets more attention in the next segment, and the\u00a0true nature of the people’s mission, to be a holy people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u05d9\u05d0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b6\u05bc\u05da\u05b8, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05de\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b5\u05df, \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8:\u00a0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d0 \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4–\u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9.<\/td>\n11<\/b> And Moses said unto the LORD: ‘Wherefore hast Thou dealt ill with Thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in Thy sight, that Thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d1<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9, \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4–\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9, \u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc:\u00a0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05ea\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05d0\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d9\u05e7\u05b6\u05da\u05b8, \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05e0\u05b5\u05e7, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc \u05dc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5.<\/td>\n12<\/b> Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that Thou shouldest say unto me: Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child, unto the land which Thou didst swear unto their fathers?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d2<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8, \u05dc\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05ea \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8, \u05ea\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4-\u05dc\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4.<\/td>\n13<\/b> Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they trouble me with their weeping, saying: Give us flesh, that we may eat.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d3<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b7\u05dc \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9, \u05dc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b5\u05c2\u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05db\u05b8\u05d1\u05b5\u05d3, \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b6\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9.<\/td>\n14<\/b> I am not able to bear all this people myself alone, because it is too heavy for me.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d8\u05d5<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b0\u05bc-\u05e2\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9, \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05d2–\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05de\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b5\u05df, \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8; \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9.\u00a0 {\u05e4}<\/td>\n15<\/b> And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in Thy sight; and let me not look upon my wretchedness.’ {P}<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u05d8\u05d6<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b6\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05d4-\u05dc\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc, \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b5\u05dd \u05d6\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b9\u05c1\u05d8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5; \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05d3, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05bc\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05dd \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05da\u05b0.<\/td>\n16<\/b> And the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Gather unto Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d6<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05bc\u05da\u05b8 \u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05e6\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05df-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b7\u05c2\u05de\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05bc\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05ea\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05d3\u05b6\u05bc\u05da\u05b8.<\/td>\n17<\/b> And I will come down and speak with thee there; and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u05db\u05d3<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4–\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b6\u05bc\u05d0\u05b1\u05e1\u05b9\u05e3 \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1, \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b2\u05de\u05b5\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd, \u05e1\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc.<\/td>\n24<\/b> And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the Tent.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05db\u05d4<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05df, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0\u05e6\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05df-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05df \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b0\u05bc\u05e7\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9, \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e1\u05b8\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc.<\/td>\n25<\/b> And the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy elders; and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05db\u05d5<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b8\u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05bc\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b5\u05bc\u05c1\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05ea\u05bb\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b1\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4.<\/td>\n26<\/b> But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad; and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were recorded, but had not gone out unto the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05db\u05d6<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05b8\u05e5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05d2\u05b5\u05bc\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8:\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05bc\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d3, \u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4.<\/td>\n27<\/b> And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said: ‘Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05db\u05d7<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05bb\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05df-\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u05df, \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e8\u05b5\u05ea \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d7\u05bb\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5–\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8:\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dd.<\/td>\n28<\/b> And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses from his youth up, answered and said: ‘My lord Moses, shut them in.’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05db\u05d8<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d9; \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05df \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b7\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05e0\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd–\u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05d5\u05b9, \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd.<\/td>\n29<\/b> And Moses said unto him: ‘Art thou jealous for my sake? would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His spirit upon them!’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05dc<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05d0\u05b8\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4–\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc.<\/td>\n30<\/b> And Moses withdrew into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

THE COMPLAINT OF MIRIAM AND AARON<\/p>\n

Miriam’s and Aaron’s complaint appears to be that Moses has taken all the power to himself, that is, they are jealous: “Hath the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? hath He not spoken also with us?” Yet their specific issue is with the Cushite (black) woman that Moses married. Her racial origin is mentioned twice in verse 1. The specifics seem to be manufactured, a pretext to disguise their real issue, jealousy.<\/p>\n

Their claim is refuted in Moses’ own words before Miriam and Aaron\u00a0even complain when Moses shows his willingness, even his desire, to share power with people who have a sense of their mission. The claim is refuted by the text itself in the next verse, which affirms, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth.” We are then left with the original, spurious complaint, a mere pretext.<\/p>\n

The “solution” is described in an interesting way: “And the LORD spoke suddenly<\/em> unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam…” It almost seems as if G-d leaps to Moses’ defense, Moses, whom we were just told, is very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth. G-d points out the ways in which Moses is superior to any other prophet, including Moses and Aaron, who cannot claim that G-d speaks directly to them, mouth to mouth. Moses “is trusted in all My house.”<\/p>\n

Strangely, although Miriam and Aaron conspired together against Moses, and the Lord’s anger is kindled against them<\/em>, only Miriam is punished: “And when the cloud was removed from over the Tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow; and Aaron looked upon Miriam; and, behold, she was leprous.”<\/p>\n

When Aaron pleads with Moses on Miriam’s behalf, then Moses with G-d, G-d responds with these words, “If her father had but spit in her face, should she not hide in shame seven days? let her be shut up without the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.”<\/p>\n

I don’t have an answer to the question, why the focus on Miriam when both she and Aaron are at fault? Has Aaron already been demoted enough for the episode with the Golden Calf? Is there a subtle reference to the Garden of Eden story? A question for another time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u05d0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b0\u05bc\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bb\u05bc\u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d7:\u00a0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05d4 \u05db\u05bb\u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d9\u05ea, \u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d7.<\/td>\n1<\/b> And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d1<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b7\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b7\u05da\u05b0-\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4–\u05d4\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0, \u05d2\u05b7\u05bc\u05dd-\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d3\u05b4\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u05e2, \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4.<\/td>\n2<\/b> And they said: ‘Hath the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? hath He not spoken also with us?’ And the LORD heard it.–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d2<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d5 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3–\u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05dc, \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4.\u00a0 {\u05e1}<\/td>\n3<\/b> Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth.– {S}<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u05d3<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e4\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd, \u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05dc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05ea\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05d3; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc, \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05dc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd.<\/td>\n4<\/b> And the LORD spoke suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam: ‘Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting.’ And they three came out.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d4<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05df, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b2\u05de\u05b9\u05d3 \u05e4\u05b6\u05bc\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd.<\/td>\n5<\/b> And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d5<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8, \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9; \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4, \u05e0\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05dd–\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d3\u05b8\u05bc\u05e2, \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8-\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9.<\/td>\n6<\/b> And He said: ‘Hear now My words: if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD do make Myself known unto him in a vision, I do speak with him in a dream.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d6<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05db\u05b5\u05df, \u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9, \u05e0\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b8\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0.<\/td>\n7<\/b> My servant Moses is not so; he is trusted in all My house;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d7<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05e4\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e4\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8-\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9, \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b9\u05ea, \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05de\u05bb\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d9\u05b7\u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05d8; \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d0\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd, \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4.<\/td>\n8<\/b> with him do I speak mouth to mouth, even manifestly, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD doth he behold; wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d8<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b7\u05da\u05b0.<\/td>\n9<\/b> And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and He departed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05df, \u05e1\u05b8\u05e8 \u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd, \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b9\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05dc\u05b6\u05d2; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e4\u05b6\u05df \u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea.<\/td>\n10<\/b> And when the cloud was removed from over the Tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow; and Aaron looked upon Miriam; and, behold, she was leprous.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9–\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b8\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05ea \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d7\u05b7\u05d8\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0\u05ea, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d8\u05b8\u05d0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc.<\/td>\n11<\/b> And Aaron said unto Moses: ‘Oh my lord, lay not, I pray thee, sin upon us, for that we have done foolishly, and for that we have sinned.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d1<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9, \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b5\u05bc\u05ea, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05de\u05b5\u05e8\u05b6\u05d7\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b5\u05dc \u05d7\u05b2\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9.<\/td>\n12<\/b> Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d2<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e7 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8:\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc, \u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc.\u00a0 {\u05e4}<\/td>\n13<\/b> And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying: ‘Heal her now, O God, I beseech Thee.’ {P}<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d9\u05d3<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05e7 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e7 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8–\u05d4\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b4\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05b5\u05dd, \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd; \u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05e1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d2\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05de\u05b4\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05e5 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8, \u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05d0\u05b8\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3.<\/td>\n14<\/b> And the LORD said unto Moses: ‘If her father had but spit in her face, should she not hide in shame seven days? let her be shut up without the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\u05d8\u05d5<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05e1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d2\u05b5\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05e5 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4, \u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e0\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05e2, \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d4\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3 \u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05dd.<\/td>\n15<\/b> And Miriam was shut up without the camp seven days; and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

CONCLUSION<\/p>\n

So what does it all mean? We have four complaints and four consequences:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Murmuring – fire (Children of Israel).<\/li>\n
  2. Lack of appreciation, gluttony – plague (Children of Israel inspired by “rifraff” or mixed multitude).<\/li>\n
  3. Too much responsibility – distribution of load (Moses).<\/li>\n
  4. Jealousy and conspiracy – death-like disease, leprosy (Miriam & Aaron).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In all four cases, there is no doubt the complaints were made (from a legal perspective). In the first instance, the people speak evil “in the ears of the Lord.” In the second instance, they are equally voluble, although no specific recipient of their complaints is named. Moses hears each weeping in front of his\/her tent, though. In the third instance, Moses speaks directly to G-d. Finally, in the fourth instance, “the Lord heard it.”<\/p>\n

    G-d administers consequences, showing different relationships first, with the Children of Israel, then with Moses, finally with Miriam and Aaron.<\/p>\n