Numbers-Chapter-20
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“Numbers Chapter 20”
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Numbers Chapter 20 details a challenging time
for the Israelites, featuring the loss of ‘Miriam’ and ‘Aaron’ as they navigate
the end of their journey. The narrative explores the themes of leadership
challenges and the consequences of actions taken in frustration. It represents
a significant, sombre transition for the people on their path.
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Let us read Numbers
Chapter 20, verses 1 to 29: (JPS-1917 version of
the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary for this study.
1 “And the
children of Israel,
even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin
in the first month; and the people abode in Kadesh;
and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2 And there was
no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves together against
Moses and against Aaron. 3 And the people strove with Moses,
and spoke, saying: ‘Would that we had perished when our brethren perished
before יְהוָה - the LORD! 4 And why have ye brought the assembly of
יְהוָה - the LORD into this wilderness, to die there, we and our
cattle? 5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring
us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or
of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink’. 6 And
Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the
tent of meeting, and fell upon their faces; and the glory of יְהוָה - the LORD appeared unto them. 7 And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 8 ‘Take the rod,
and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto
the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring
forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and
their cattle drink’. 9 And Moses took the rod from before יְהוָה - the LORD, as He commanded him. 10 And Moses and
Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said unto them: ‘Hear
now, ye rebels; are we to bring you forth water out of this rock?’ 11 And
Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice; and water came
forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle. 12 And
יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron: ‘Because ye believed not in Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel,
therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given
them’. 13 These are the waters of Meribah, where the children
of Israel
strove with יְהוָה - the LORD, and He was sanctified in them. 14 And
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of
Edom: ‘Thus saith thy brother Israel: Thou knowest
all the travail that hath befallen us; 15 how our fathers went
down into Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians dealt ill
with us, and our fathers; 16 and when we cried unto יְהוָה - the LORD, He heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us
forth out of Egypt; and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a
city in the uttermost of thy border. 17 Let us pass, I pray
thee, through thy land; we will not pass through field or through vineyard,
neither will we drink of the water of the wells; we will go along the king's
highway, we will not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, until we
have passed thy border’. 18 And Edom said unto him: ‘Thou shalt not
pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against thee’. 19 And
the children of Israel said unto him: ‘We will go up by the highway; and if we
drink of thy water, I and my cattle, then will I give the price thereof; let me
only pass through on my feet; there is no hurt’. 20 And he
said: ‘Thou shalt not pass through’. And Edom came out against him with much
people, and with a strong hand. 21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel
passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him. 22 And
they journeyed from Kadesh; and the children of Israel,
even the whole congregation, came unto mount Hor. 23 And
יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor,
by the border of the land of Edom, saying: 24 ‘Aaron shall be
gathered unto his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have
given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against My word at the
waters of Meribah. 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar
his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor. 26 And
strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar
his son; and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there’. 27 And
Moses did as יְהוָה - the LORD commanded; and they went up into mount Hor
in the sight of all the congregation. 28 And
Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar
his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount; and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount. 29 And
when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead,
they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel”.
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Below is my Commentary
on Numbers Chapter 20, verses 1 to 29:
Verses
1-5: (The Death of Miriam and the Return of Thirst). The chapter opens with the death of Miriam at Kadesh.
The loss of her presence is immediately followed by a water shortage,
suggesting her role in sustaining the community. The people react with the same
complaints as their ancestors, expressing fear in the wilderness.
Verses
6-11: (The Crisis at the
Rock). When commanded to speak
to the rock, a frustrated Moses strikes it instead. While this brings water, it
shows a failure to trust in the Divine instruction. The action reflects a loss
of patience during a challenging moment.
Verses
12-13: (The Sentence of Exclusion). As a result of this action, Moses and Aaron are told they will not
lead the people into the promised land. This
underscores the high standard for leadership and the need for emotional
control. It serves as a lesson in accountability.
Verses
14-21: (The Rejection by Edom). Edom denies the Israelites passage, despite their kinship. This forced
detour highlights that the journey requires navigating difficult relationships
and choosing peace. The decision forces the community to find a new path.
Verses
22-29: (The Death of Aaron and the Succession). The chapter concludes with the passing of Aaron’s priestly role to
his son, Eleazar, at Mount Hor.
This formal transition ensures the continuity of the community’s spiritual
life. It is a moment of deep, collective mourning.
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My Closing Message:
This chapter teaches that even during our
hardest times, we can find strength and continuity. It shows us that true
leadership requires patience and that our legacy is built through calm action,
not frustration.
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עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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