1)

What is the Torah referring to when it writes "Heimah Mei Merivah ... "?

1.

Rashi: It is referring to the astrologers of Par'oh, who ordered all the baby boys thrown into the Nile, because they saw that the savior of Yisrael would be smitten by water


1

Because astrologers only see the future in vague terms, not in detail. Refer to Sh'mos 1:22:2:1**.

2

Ramban: In spite of the fact, that they all grumbled.

3

Ramban: The distinction is based on the fact that, by the earlier incident, they quarreled with Moshe and tested Hashem (as the Pasuk writes clearly there), whereas here they quarreled with Hashem and not with Moshe. See also R. Chavel's footnotes.

2)

How will we reconcile this Pasuk ("Asher Ravu B'nei Yisrael es Hashem") with Pasuk 3 ("va'Yarev ha'Am Im Moshe"?

1.

Sanhedrin, 110a: It teaches that, Someone who quarrels with his Rebbe, it is as if he quarreled with the Shechinah.f

3)

How was Hashem sanctified "through the water of Merivah"?

1.

Rashi and Ramban #1 (citing the Ibn Ezra) 1 : Because Moshe and Aharon died as a result of it, and when Hashem performs judgment with those who are close to Him, people fear Him and He becomes sanctified. 2

2.

Ramban #2: By producing water in the presence of all of Yisrael. 3

3.

Rashbam: By producing water even though Moshe and Aharon did not speak to it as commanded.

4.

Seforno: By performing miracles when the well defied the laws of nature by traveling upwards, as described later in the Parshah. 4

5.

Targum Yonasan: "va'Yikadesh Bam" actually refers to Moshe and Aharon, via whom Hashem was sanctified when the well returned to Yisrael after havng been hidden. 5


1

Rashi: As the Pasuk states in Tehilim, 68:36. Refer also to Vayikra, 10:3:2:1*.

2

See Ramban's objections to this explanation.

3

Which explains why the Pasuk writes here "Asher Ravu B'nei Yisrael ". Refer to 20:13:1:2.

4

Refer to 21:16:1:4*.

5

See also Na'ar Yonasan.

4)

Why does the Torah say here "Heimah (with a 'Hei') Mei Merivah", and later in 27:14, "Heim", without a Hei?

1.

Moshav Zekenim citing the Rosh: The Hei 1 alludes to five Aveiros


1

He did not explain why there is no 'Hei' there. Perhaps if not for the change, we would not know to expound the 'Hei'. (PF)

2

That was at Refidim, and it was also called 'Masah u'Merivah'(Sh'mos 17:2,7). It was not at Chorev (Sinai)! Perhaps words are missing, and he means that the Shechinah would appear only if everyone was Tahor, like at Chorev. (PF)

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