Parshas Behaaloscha

On the Heaven and the Earth

By Rabbi Yochanan Zweig

“...at the image of Hashem does he gaze…” (12:8)

In this week’s parsha, Hashem castigates Aharon and Miriam for criticizing Moshe and proceeds to define Moshe’s uniqueness. Amongst Moshe’s unequaled abilities is his capacity to “gaze at the image of Hashem” - “utmunas Hashem yabit”. The verb “yabit” - “gaze” is defined by Rashi in parshas Lech Lecha as “looking down from a higher vantage point”.1 If so, what is meant by Moshe’s ability to view Hashem’s image from a higher vantage point?

Above all of Moshe’s outstanding qualities, the Torah describes him as an “ish anav me’od” - “an exceedingly humble man”.2 Rav Moshe Kordovero, one of the greatest Kabbalists of the middle ages, describes humility as the ability for a person of great stature to relate to those of lesser stature without being condescending and to see the worth of each individual.3 The Torah is teaching us that Moshe’s ability to see the “tmunas Hashem” - “image of Hashem” engraved within every human being provided him with a heightened sense of humility, and this allowed him to deal with each individual as a person of worth. Moshe did not have to look up to see Hashem; he could see Hashem by looking down as well.

1.Bereishis 15:5
2.12:3
3.See appendage to the Tomer Devorah

A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE

“...My master Moshe, destroy them!” (11:28)

Acquiescing to Moshe’s request for assistance, Hashem incorporated a new political entity into the corporate structure of Bnei Yisroel, the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin’s function was to assist Moshe in leading the nation.1 Two of the chosen elders, Eldad and Meidad, who, because of their appointment became imbued with the ability to prophesy, did not follow the others to meet Moshe at the Ohel Mo’ed – Tent of Meeting. They remained in the camp, prophesying. The Torah records that Yehoshua was angered by their behavior and suggested to Moshe “kela’aim”. The Rashbam, who generally follows a more literal interpretation of the verses, translates “kela’aim” as “incarcerate them”, from the word “kela” - “prison”.2 Rashi only offers this as a secondary interpretation; his primary interpretation, based upon the word “kaleh” - “destroy”, is that Yehoshua suggested that Moshe appoint them to positions which would require community service, resulting in their demise.3 Why does Rashi not favor the more literal interpretation? Furthermore, how did Yehoshua’s suggestion address what he perceived to be the violation?

The Ramban explains that Yehoshua’s anger was prompted by his perception that since Moshe had summoned the seventy elders to the Ohel Mo’ed, Eldad’s and Meidad’s reluctance to go had to be viewed as dissention.4 Consequently, incarceration would not be the recommended course of action, for if a person is a political dissenter, incarcerating him brings more attention to his cause and could spark a grassroots movement in his support. Therefore, Yehoshua suggested that if they were objecting to the manner in which the leadership was serving the nation, the best course of action would be to let them experience the difficulty of contending with community pressure. This experience would either diffuse their opposition to the current leadership or destroy them in their attempt to reform the system.

1.11:16
2.11:20
3.Ibid
4.Ibid