1)

Why did Moshe use the feminine form, when he said to Hashem "ve'Im Kachah At Oseh li"?

1.

Rashi: When Hashem showed Moshe the punishment that He was about to bring upon Yisrael for their sin, he felt powerless like a woman 1 and asked Hashem to kill him first.

2.

Ramban and Moshav Zekenim: It is a normal manner of speech, like we find in Yechezkel, 28:14.

3.

Ramban #2 (according to Kabalah): Because he was addressing the Midas ha'Din, 2 which is feminine. 3

4.

Seforno: What he meant was that Hashem would apply a weaker, imperfect Hashgachah with regard to Yisrael - like that of a woman, 4 by not adding other leaders to assist him - in deference to his honor ...


1

See Sifsei Chachamim. Refer to 11:15:151:2 & 1.

2

Ramban: See Pasuk 10.

3

Ramban: See also Devarim, 5:24.

4

Refer to 11:15:3:2.

2)

What did Moshe mean when he said "Horgeini Na Harog"?

1.

Ramban #1: He meant that Hashem should send Sheliuchim to kill him by the sword'. 1

2.

Ramban #2: He meant that Hashem should Kill him by Hs own Hand. 2

3.

Targum Onkelos: He meant that Hashem should kill him - so that he should not see the people suffering.

4.

Targum Yonasan: 'If You will do this to me, to place all of Yisrael's problems on my shoulders, then kill me with the death that is reserved for Tzadikim!'


1

Ramban: As we find in Yirmiyah, 18:21 and in Yechezkel, 37:9. Because even such a death is preferable than the pain of seeing Yisrael suffer. Sifri Zuta ? this can be compared to someone who is sentenced to be executed with his sons and who asks the executioner 'to kill him first, so that he should not see his sons being killed - as opposed to Tzidkiyahu, who saw his sons slaughtered brfore his eyes (Melachim 2, 25:7).

2

Ramban: Even though "Hereg" generally refers to death by the word.

3)

Why did Moshe say "ve'Al Er'eh be'Ra'asi" and not 'be'Ra'asam?

1.

Rashi: It is a Tikun Sofrim - Moshe actually said 'be'Ra'asam', only he wrote in the Torah 'be'Ra'asi" 1 to soften the impact.

2.

Seforno: He meant that he did not want to see the weak Hashgachah (that affected Yisrael and) that Hashem brought about in his honor. 2

3.

Da'as Zekenim: 'It is better that I die immediately, than to deteriorate due to them'.

4.

Moshav Zekenim: Moshe said, it is written about me "Anav Me'od 3 ", and it is written "be'Einei Moshe Ra" (seeing evil in others is a lack of humility).

5.

Oznayim la'Torah: Moshe took to heart the suffering of the people as if he was the one who ws suffering.


1

See Sifsei Chachamim.

2

Seforno: Which he considered worse than death.

3

This Pasuk is written later (12:3)! We must say that Moshe knew that it will be written about him. (PF)

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes that Moshe used the feminine form "At" because he became weak like a woman. But "At" refers to Hashem, and not to Moshe?

1.

Rosh: He meant that Moshe became weak, and could not finish the word, like sometimes happens to women. Riva - one who begins sighing cannot finish his breath. However, this is difficult; we need not say so. We do not know the reason for everything that is extra or that is missing!

2.

Moshav Zekenim: There is a P'sik (break) between "Kachah" and "At". If You will do so ? "At" (like a female) You make me.

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