1)

Why did Moshe build a Mizbe'ach?

1.

Ha'amek Davar: To thank Hashem for the good news that He would erase the name of Amalek. 1


1

Presumably, he brought Korbanos on it, as Targum Onkelos intimates.

2)

What did Moshe call 'Hashem Nisi'?

1.

Rashi and Ramban: Refer to Bereishis 33:20:1:1**.

2.

Seforno: He called the name of Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu in prayer; 1 'Hashem Will Be My Champion' against all those who rise against me, and the Mizbe'ach, 'Hashem is my flag-pole' 2 - because Hashem's staff served as a flag-pole on the hill (to rally the army to fight against Amalek). 3

3.

Rashbam: He was calling the Mizbe'ach by the name 'Hashem Nisi', because Hashem held His staff aloft on the hill, 4 which served as a flag for the army of Yisrael to come and fight Amalek. 5

4.

Targum Yonasan: He called the name of the Mizbe'ach 'the word of Hashem (?), "Hashem Nisi" This is my miracle, because the miracle that Hashem performed when His Shechinah passed here was for my sake'. 6


1

As in Eichah (3:55) "Karasi Shimcha Hashem" (Seforno).

2

As in Tehilim (60:6) "Nasata li'Yere'eicha Neis Lehisnoses" (Seforno).

3

See also Ba'al ha'Turim.

4

And in the same way, Hashem will raise His staff on the mountains, to call the armies to fight against Amalek (in the time of Mashi'ach) as the Pasuk continues "Ki Machoh Emcheh ... ."

5

The Rashbam's explanastion is similar to that of the Seforno - See answer #2 and note 2 - only, where the Seforno interprets it as a Tefilah, the Rashbam interprets it ss a statement.

6

Since Yisrael were not worthy of miracles at that stage (See Na'ar Yonasan).

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:
Month: Day: Year:
Month: Day: Year:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & DonationsReaders' FeedbackMailing ListsTalmud ArchivesAsk the KollelDafyomi WeblinksDafyomi CalendarOther Yomi calendars