"Vay?hi ha'Am ke?Mis?on?nim". To whom is ?ha?Am? referring?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: It refers to Resha'im. 1
Rashi: As in Beshalach Sh'mos, 17:4 and in Yirmiyah, 13:10. See also Sifsei Chachamim. But when Yisrael are righteous, Hashem refers to them as "Ami", as in Sh'mos 5:1 and in Michah, 6:3.
What are the connotations of "ke'Mis'onenim"?
Rashi: It is a Lashon of 'excuse' - They were looking for an excuse 1 to sever their connections with Hashem. 2
Ramban: It means ?They grumbled?. When they left the vicinity of Har Sinai, which was close to inhabited country and entered the great and terrifying desert, they became worried about the troubles that faced them 3 - how they would survive, what they would eat and drink and how they would bear the travails of traveling and when they would exit it.
Rashbam: They were distressed due to the hassles of traveling. 4
Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: They were (downcast) like On'nim (mourners) over a Meis. Hashem wanted to enter them to the land, and they were afraid of war (They were crying over their families - Hadar Zekenim).
Rashi: As in Shoftim, 14:4.
Which explains why the Torah adds the 'Kaf' at the beginning of the word - since they were only pretending to complain.
Ramban: As in Eichah, 3:39, and in Bereishis 35:18. And the 'Kaf' denotes that, although the worries were genuine, they were unnecessary, and their complaints uncalled for - Refer to 11:1:5:2.
This is similar to the previous explanation ? of the Ramban.
Seforno: Since they had no genuine reason to complain.
This is similar to the first explanation ? of Rashi.
What are the implications of "Ra be'Oznei Hashem"?
Rashi: It implies that they were looking for an excuse that would enter Hashem's Ears and arouse His ire.
Ramban: It implies that Hashem was angry at the fact that they were complaining, instead of following Him joyfully due to all the good that He had given them.
Oznayhim la'Torah (citing the Sifri): It implies that they had thoughts of Avodah Zarah - but not actions or even words - which is why the Torah writes 'ke'Mis'on'nim', with a 'Kaf'. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborates. Refer also to 11:1:6:3**.
What does the Torah mean when it writes "Va'yishma Hashem"?
Oznayim la'Torah (in 12:2): It means that Hashem punished them immediately. 1
Oznayim la'Torah (Ibid.): Otherwise, the phrase would be obvious, since He knows even what is in a person's heart.
What was the cause of their complaining?
Rashi: The fact that theyhad traveled for three days without a break.
Why did their complaints arouse Hashem's burning anger?
Rashi: Because He did it for their benefit, so that they would enter the land immediately.
Ramban: Because they saw the cup half-empty instead of half-full. Bearing in mind all the good things that Hashem had given them - they should have followed Hashem with joy.
To whom is "bi'Ketzei ha'Machaneh" referring?
Rashi #1: It refers to the lowest elements among them ('be'Muktzin she'bahem') - the Eirev Rav.
Rashi #2 (citing R. Shimon ben Menasya): It refers to the elite ('ha'Ketzinim she'bahem') - the elders. 1 (the Sanhedrin - Da'as Zekenim on Pasuk 13).
