Ramban on the Parsha | Rabbi Shlomo Friedman (Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh)

June 11, 2026

Ramban on Korach

June 3, 2026

Ramban on Sh'lach

May 26, 2026

Ramban on Beha'aloscha

<p>AI-Generated Summary (AI can be inaccurate. Check important information):</p> <p>1. <strong>The Chanukah connection</strong> — The <strong>nechama</strong> given to Aaron for not participating in the princes' offerings was a <strong>remez</strong> to the future Hasmonean dedication, which was a <strong>nedava</strong> (voluntary act), unlike the obligatory <strong>miluim</strong> service.</p> <p>2. <strong>Levi apprenticeship years</strong> — A <strong>Levi</strong> begins training at age twenty-five but only receives a specific, permanent appointment (<strong>ish ish al avodaso</strong>) upon reaching age thirty.</p> <p>3. <strong>Defining "Distant Way"</strong> — While some define <strong>derech rechoka</strong> as being merely outside the <strong>azarah</strong>, the literal meaning (<strong>peshat</strong>) and the <strong>Amoraim</strong> suggest it refers to being beyond <strong>Modi'im</strong> at midday.</p> <p>4. <strong>Loyalty despite discomfort</strong> — The repetitive descriptions of the journeys teach that Bnei Yisrael remained loyal to the <strong>anan</strong> even when it meant staying in unpleasant locations or traveling when exhausted.</p> <p>5. <strong>Yisro's name and portion</strong> — <strong>Chovav</strong> was the name Yisro received upon his <strong>geirus</strong>; he ultimately agreed to stay with Bnei Yisrael because he was offered a permanent <strong>nachala</strong> in the Land.</p> <p>6. <strong>The "Upside-down Nuns"</strong> — The section of <strong>Vayehi Binsoa</strong> acts as a buffer between the <strong>pur'anus</strong> of leaving Sinai "like a child fleeing school" and the subsequent complaints in the desert.</p> <p>7. <strong>Three-fold tragedy avoidance</strong> — The placement of these verses prevents three consecutive "tragedies," which would have established a <strong>chazaka</strong> (unbroken pattern) of spiritual failure.</p> <p>8. <strong>The sin of "kvetching"</strong> — The <strong>misoninim</strong> were punished not for a specific speech act, but for their general attitude of being "coerced" and ungrateful for God's goodness.</p> <p>9. <strong>Desiring a desire</strong> — The <strong>asafsaf</strong> sinned by cultivating a <strong>ta'avah</strong> for its own sake, seeking the feeling of physical craving rather than satisfying a true physical need.</p> <p>10. <strong>Natural vs. Miraculous meat</strong> — Moshe's skepticism regarding the meat was based on a misunderstanding: he thought God intended to provide it through <strong>derech hateva</strong> (natural means) rather than a miracle.</p> <p>11. <strong>Eldad and Medad's status</strong> — Joshua's request to "lock them up" stemmed from a concern they were <strong>nevi'ei sheker</strong> (false prophets) or that they were <strong>moreh halacha lifnei rabbo</strong> (ruling in the presence of their teacher).</p> <p>12. <strong>The uniqueness of Moshe's prophecy</strong> — The Torah emphasizes Moshe's humility to explain why God defended him and to underscore that his prophecy was in a completely different league than all others.</p>