{"id":47662,"date":"2018-07-09T17:41:23","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-138\/"},"modified":"2022-08-16T09:16:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T06:16:57","slug":"wall-138","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-138\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Torah-Numbers-21"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"138","date":"20260310","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","books_group":"Torah","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"47876","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"Numbers 21 - Judy Hammond ","post_title":"Numbers 21 - Judy Hammond","slug":"numbers-21-judy-hammond","old_id":"47876","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"The Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"Numbers 21","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"read by Judy Hammond","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/929-bible\/numbers-chapter-21-read-by-judy-hammond","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"107204","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Learning To Fly ","post_title":"Learning To Fly","slug":"learning-to-fly","old_id":"107204","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The people learn to rely less on Moses and more on themselves\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Last chapter saw the decree that Moses would not lead the people into Canaan. Abarbanel\u2019s explanation followed Moses\u2019 growing impatience with the people and ultimately God\u2019s decision that Moses was not the leader the people needed to enter Canaan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But besides Abarbanel\u2019s opinion that Moses was at his wits end, there may be another reason why God decided that Moses was not the leader the people needed. Perhaps God felt that the people were too reliant on Moses. From the very beginning of the Exodus story, there have small nudges from God to transition the people from a slave mentality of dependence to a free people mentality of independence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It started with the pronouncement that the people will be responsible for certifying the new moon, as the very first mitzvah to the people. But when things went bad, they complained. Moses prayed on their behalf, but the people showed no remorse. Moses led them into battle and even led the people in song after the splitting of the sea. But what would happen if Moses were no longer in the picture? Following chapter 20, God took the risk of removing the safety net and seeing if the people could learn to fly on their own. Would the people be able to fly?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In chapter 21, the people responded with a resounding yes. Right off the bat Arad attacks the people and takes POWs. Notice how Moses is not involved here. The people make a vow to God and God makes the people successful in battle. Next, the people complain again, and God punishes them with snakes. But this time, they go to Moses and admit they did something wrong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

At the end of the chapter, the people again collectively take the lead against Sichon. Notice how the word \u201cIsrael\u201d appears over and over again. The greatest contrast comes before the battle with Sichon. When the people crossed the Sea of Reeds, Moses led the people in song, \u201cThen Moses and the Israelites sang this song to God\u201d (Exodus 15:1). This time though the people do not need Moses to lead them. They can do it themselves. \u201cThen Israel sang this song: Spring up, O well\u2014sing to it\u2014.\"\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Moses is not completely out of the picture. They need him at the end of the chapter to defeat the giant warriors of Og. But if chapter 20 ended with the question of can they do it? 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and Suphah: New Miracles Along the Way ","post_title":"Waheb and Suphah: New Miracles Along the Way","slug":"waheb-and-suphah-new-miracles-along-the-way","old_id":"47872","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42746,"post_title":"Michal Kohane","slug":"michal-kohane","old_id":"42746","first_name":"Michal ","last_name":"Kohane ","description":"Currently based in Israel, Rabbanit Michal Kohane is a graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, a writer, community leader and teacher of Talmud & Torah. She holds degrees in Israel studies , education and psychology, and has been a leader and educator in Northern California for over 25 years. Her first novel, Hachug (\"Extracurricular\") was published in Israel in 2016 and her weekly blog can be found at http:\/\/www.miko284.com\r\n\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Currently based in Israel, Rabbanit Michal Kohane is a graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, a writer, community leader and teacher of Talmud & Torah. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":42747,"alt":"","title":"michal kohane","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","width":214,"height":226,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","medium-width":214,"medium-height":226,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","medium_large-width":214,"medium_large-height":226,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","large-width":214,"large-height":226,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","1536x1536-width":214,"1536x1536-height":226,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","2048x2048-width":214,"2048x2048-height":226,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","post_full_size-width":214,"post_full_size-height":226,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","home_baner-width":214,"home_baner-height":226}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Coming together for the greater good...","post_main_content_content":"

A magnet in a store I saw says: \u201cIt\u2019s going to be ok at the end. If it\u2019s not ok, it\u2019s not the end\u201d. It\u2019s probably not intentionally based on the midrash for Numbers 21, but it\u2019s close.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

40 years have gone by, and the People are inching towards the Promised Land. Somewhere along the journey, camping \u201c<\/span>in the wilderness that extends from the territory of the Amorite.\u201d <\/span>Then<\/span> it says (21:14)<\/span>: Therefore the Book of the Wars of the Lord speaks of \u201c<\/span><\/i>\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4\u05b5\u05a3\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u0594\u05d4 \u2026<\/span>Waheb in Suphah<\/em>, and the wadis: the Arnon\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

We don\u2019t quite know what \u201cthe Book of the Wars of the Lord\u201d is, but where we don\u2019t know, we\u2019re left to our imagination and creativity. A few verses later it says, \u201cthen Israel sang that song\u201d (21:17), which might remind us of a verse back in Exodus (15:1): \u201cthen Moses and the Children of Israel sang this song\u201d. As the Exodus event was after the splitting of the Sea, known as <\/span>Yam Suph<\/span><\/em>, here too maybe there is a reference to a split and a sea with the word \u201c<\/span>Suphah<\/span><\/em>\u201d; and therefore, here too we must be speaking of similar, great miracles. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

What happened? The midrash tells us that when the children of Israel came to Wadi (valley of) Arnon, they were going to walk through in the wadi, facing \u201c<\/span>ein-sof<\/span><\/em>\u201d (endless, enormous amount of) people. Above it, were mountains with protruding rocks on one side, and hollow caves on the other. In order to protect the Children of Israel from enemies above and those hiding in the caves, God hinted at the mountains to join and become a flat pathway, protecting the people within them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Waheb & Suphah<\/span><\/em>,<\/em> those mountains, became symbolic of forces that come together, for a greater good: <\/span>vahev<\/span><\/em> from the same root as <\/span>ohev<\/span><\/em>, loving, and <\/span>supha<\/span><\/em> \u2013 storm, but also, <\/span>sopha<\/span><\/em> \u2013 its end, to mean, in the end they became one. As it says in the Talmud (Kidushin 20:b): \u201ceven father and son; teacher and student who (argue and fight and) might seem like enemies, won\u2019t give up until, in the end, they resume to love one another\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

image by:\u00a0Effi Schweizer, the area of Wadi Arnon<\/a>, thought to be the Biblical Waheb and Suphah,\u00a0<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":47873,"alt":"","title":"Num21-Wadi_Arnon","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon.jpeg","width":1600,"height":1168,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-300x219.jpeg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":219,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-768x561.jpeg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":561,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-1024x748.jpeg","large-width":1024,"large-height":748,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon.jpeg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1121,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon.jpeg","2048x2048-width":1600,"2048x2048-height":1168,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-1200x876.jpeg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":876,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-575x420.jpeg","home_baner-width":575,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Waheb and Suphah: New Miracles Along the Way","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Coming together for the greater good...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":47873,"alt":"","title":"Num21-Wadi_Arnon","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon.jpeg","width":1600,"height":1168,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-300x219.jpeg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":219,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-768x561.jpeg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":561,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-1024x748.jpeg","large-width":1024,"large-height":748,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon.jpeg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1121,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon.jpeg","2048x2048-width":1600,"2048x2048-height":1168,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-1200x876.jpeg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":876,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Wadi_Arnon-575x420.jpeg","home_baner-width":575,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"361","name":"Hebrew language","old_id":"761"},{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"497","name":"Land","old_id":"897"}]},{"order":4,"id":"47879","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"A Song Bursts Forth ","post_title":"A Song Bursts Forth","slug":"a-song-bursts-forth","old_id":"47879","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":47016,"post_title":"Ilana Blumberg","slug":"ilana-blumberg","old_id":"47016","first_name":"Ilana ","last_name":"Blumberg ","description":"Ilana Blumberg is a prize-winning author and teacher. Her most recent book is the memoir, \"Open Your Hand: Teaching as a Jew, Teaching as an American\" (Rutgers UP, 2018). She directs the Shaindy Rudoff Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Bar Ilan University and lives in Jerusalem with her family.","short_description":"Ilana Blumberg is a prize-winning author and teacher.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":47017,"alt":"","title":"ilana blumberg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","width":188,"height":249,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","medium_large-width":188,"medium_large-height":249,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","large-width":188,"large-height":249,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","1536x1536-width":188,"1536x1536-height":249,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","2048x2048-width":188,"2048x2048-height":249,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","post_full_size-width":188,"post_full_size-height":249,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/ilana-blumberg-e1546807007295.jpg","home_baner-width":188,"home_baner-height":249}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"It sings the people back to the Well, and back to the ancestors","post_main_content_content":"

Chapter 21 is a chapter of aftermath. It tells us what it means to return to the extraordinary range of challenges that simply <\/span>resume, <\/span><\/i>as if we could possibly be ready, after massively dislocating events, events that alter the landscape in every possible way. Anyone who has undergone a deep loss or profound change but had to return to life within a dictated period of time knows what this challenge is like. We know that as we move forward, some other vector of experience moves in a different direction, from surface to depth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In Chapter 20, we experience too much to manage. \u00a0In Chapter 21, we find ourselves after the death of Miriam, after the complaining that follows that death, after the event of Moses and Aaron gathering the people before a rock. Moses strikes the rock when he has not been instructed to use the staff, and God decrees that neither brother will lead the people into the promised land. It is irreversible, inexplicable, devastating. The children of Israel continue on their journey until God tells Moses that Aaron will die after transferring his priestly garments to his son. Precisely this transmission happens and then Aaron dies and the people mourn thirty days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Chapter 20 ends. Both Moses\u2019 siblings are gone, we know that Moses too will die, that he will not enter the land, that we will leave him, too, behind.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And the narrative continues. It simply continues.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Chapter 21 picks up with journeying, and battle, and more complaining, and more petitioning of God for protection. But in the midst of this slew of events, we read that the children of Israel sing a song praying for water. It is an extremely short song compared to some of the songs we know in the Bible. \u201cRise up, O well, sing to it\/The well the chieftains dug\/ The nobles of the people started\/\u2026 with their own staffs\u201d (21:17-18).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What is this song? To my ear, it is the verse in the chapter that registers the \u201cas if\u201d of continuing. This song, this prayer, sings the aftermath of Miriam\u2019s death, and Aaron\u2019s transmission of the priesthood, and Aaron\u2019s death, and the rock and the water, and the staff, always the staff, and the recognition that Moses, too, will be left behind. This song sings the people back to the well, back to the prayers for water, to the diggers of wells, to those who made our covenants, to our ancestors. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Song bursts forth, because while we go on and the life of forward movement continues, the depths intersect that forward movement with the need for expression. <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":61157,"alt":"","title":"2sam23-song","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song.png","width":1034,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-242x300.png","medium-width":242,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-768x951.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":951,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-827x1024.png","large-width":827,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song.png","1536x1536-width":1034,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song.png","2048x2048-width":1034,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-969x1200.png","post_full_size-width":969,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-339x420.png","home_baner-width":339,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Song Bursts Forth","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"It sings the people back to the Well, and back to the ancestors","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":61157,"alt":"","title":"2sam23-song","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song.png","width":1034,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-242x300.png","medium-width":242,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-768x951.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":951,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-827x1024.png","large-width":827,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song.png","1536x1536-width":1034,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song.png","2048x2048-width":1034,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-969x1200.png","post_full_size-width":969,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam23-song-339x420.png","home_baner-width":339,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"687","name":"Routine","old_id":"1087"},{"term_id":"802","name":"Song","old_id":"1202"}]},{"order":5,"id":"47863","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Still On The Road, But Now They Are On Their Way ","post_title":"Still On The Road, But Now They Are On Their Way","slug":"still-on-the-road-but-now-they-are-on-their-way","old_id":"47863","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33859,"post_title":"Avidan Freedman","slug":"avidan-freedman","old_id":"33859","first_name":"Avidan","last_name":"Freedman","description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. He is an activist advocating for moral limits on Israeli arms exports, and on behalf of African refugees, and a proud husband and father of 5. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, and from the Israeli chief rabbinate.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. ","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33860,"alt":"Avidan Freedman","title":"Avidan Freedman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","width":856,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-251x300.jpg","medium-width":251,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-768x919.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":919,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-856x1024.jpg","large-width":856,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","1536x1536-width":856,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","2048x2048-width":856,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-800x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-351x420.jpg","home_baner-width":351,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"That Jews will complain is a given: but when we own our complaints and grow from them, we can see our journey in a new light","post_main_content_content":"

Before they arrive at their final destination, the Jewish people must retrace their steps. But these are not the aimless wanderings that have defined their last 40 years. These are the travels of a new people taking ownership of their past.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

We see many of the significant stations of the journey repeated, but with a twist. Instead of Moses and Joshua leading the battle against Amalek, it is Israel as a whole who makes an oath to God and goes to battle against the desert dwellers, here called \u2018Canaan\u2019. Instead of Moses calling forth water from the rock, it is the Jewish people who sing to it. Instead of Moses sending messengers to request passage, again, it is the nation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This rehashing of history is not enthusiastically embraced by the nation, at least not initially. Having tasted war, defeat and victory, they feel ready to finally enter the land. Their complaint sounds similar to the murmurings of the past, but this time there\u2019s no nostalgia for Egypt, only impatience. \u201cWere we brought out of Egypt to die in the desert?\u201d There was a purpose to the exodus, and we\u2019re ready to realize it. We\u2019re tired of the manna- we want to make our own bread!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The people may not realize it, but this misstep is also a new step, and a redemption of past sins. For the first time, when they suffer the consequences of their complaint, it isn\u2019t Moses or God who immediately intercedes on their behalf. First, the nation takes responsibility for their misdeed, they repent, and only then do they enlist Moses\u2019s help.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That Jews will complain is a given, a part of our birthright. But when we are able to then own our complaints and grow from them, we can suddenly see our journey in a new light. No longer exhausting and monotonous, in the middle of chapter 21, the Jewish people sing each station on their journey as part of a song that rises and falls and rises again, \u201cAnd from Matana, Nachliel, and from Nachliel to Bamot. And from Bamot, the heights, to the valley in Moav country, the top of peak, looking out on the desolation\u201d.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":77825,"alt":"","title":"jon1-journey road","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road.png","width":1280,"height":1190,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-300x279.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":279,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-768x714.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":714,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-1024x952.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":952,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1190,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1190,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-1200x1116.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1116,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-452x420.png","home_baner-width":452,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Still On The Road, But Now They Are On Their Way","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"That Jews will complain is a given: but when we own our complaints and grow from them, we can see our journey in a new light","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":77825,"alt":"","title":"jon1-journey road","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road.png","width":1280,"height":1190,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-300x279.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":279,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-768x714.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":714,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-1024x952.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":952,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1190,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1190,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-1200x1116.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1116,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/jon1-journey-road-452x420.png","home_baner-width":452,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"412","name":"Responsibility","old_id":"812"},{"term_id":"598","name":"Israelites","old_id":"998"},{"term_id":"803","name":"Complaint","old_id":"1203"}]},{"order":6,"id":"47865","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"2","name":"The Blessing of a Snakebite ","post_title":"The Blessing Of A Snakebite","slug":"the-blessing-of-a-snakebite","old_id":"47865","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38035,"post_title":"Josh Pernick","slug":"josh-pernick","old_id":"38035","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Pernick ","description":"Josh Pernick is a fourth-year rabbinical student at YCT and a member of the Hillel Office of Innovation Fellowship for Rabbinic Entrepreneurs. After serving from 2016-2018 as student rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh in Portland, Maine, he currently serves as student rabbi for the Orthodox Kehillah in Durham, NC. ","short_description":"Josh Pernick is a fourth-year rabbinical student at YCT and a member of the Hillel Office of Innovation Fellowship for Rabbinic Entrepreneurs.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38036,"alt":"","title":"josh pernick","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","width":340,"height":388,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick-263x300.jpg","medium-width":263,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","medium_large-width":340,"medium_large-height":388,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","large-width":340,"large-height":388,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","1536x1536-width":340,"1536x1536-height":388,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","2048x2048-width":340,"2048x2048-height":388,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","post_full_size-width":340,"post_full_size-height":388,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/josh-pernick.jpg","home_baner-width":340,"home_baner-height":388}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Meeting the twists and turns of the difficult journey","post_main_content_content":"

Though plagues are common throughout the book of Numbers<\/span>,<\/span><\/i> the plague of the snakes stands out from the rest. The nation complained about food and were punished with so much quail that it \u201ccame out of their nostrils\u201d<\/span> (11:20). They did not have faith that God would bring them to the promised land, so they were refused entry (14:23)<\/span>. <\/span><\/i>Their complaints in our chapter can thus be expected to be met by a similar tit for tat, <\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i>midah k\u2019neged midah<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

\u2026The people became disheartened because of the hardship of the journey. The people spoke against God and against Moshe, \u2018Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in this desert, for there is no bread and no water, and we are disgusted by this rotten bread.\u2019 The Lord sent against the people the venomous snakes, and they bit the people, and many of the people of Israel died (21:4-6). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The complaint here is not specific; it is fatigue of the journey itself. The Israelites are finally on their way to Canaan, but the journey remains circuitous, filled with twists and turns. Twists and turns, it should be noted, that mirror the movement of the snake, a being unable to travel in a straight line towards its destination.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

There is only one cure for the plague of the snakes; confronting the snake, and the inevitable frustrations on the journey of life which it represents, face to face. \u201cMoshe made a copper serpent and mounted it on a standard; and when anyone was bitten by a serpent, he would look at the copper snake and recover\u201d (21:9). Sometimes, it turns out, the snakebite is a blessing in disguise, forcing us to address our struggles and challenges head-on and allowing us to grow from each twist and turn along our journey.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

image:\u00a0By Michelangelo \/ Sistine Chapel - The Yorck Project<\/a> (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":47866,"alt":"","title":"Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024.jpg","width":2536,"height":2523,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-768x764.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":764,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-1024x1019.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1019,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1528,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":2038,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-1200x1194.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1194,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Blessing Of A Snakebite","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Meeting the twists and turns of the difficult journey","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":47866,"alt":"","title":"Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024.jpg","width":2536,"height":2523,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-768x764.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":764,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-1024x1019.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1019,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1528,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":2038,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-1200x1194.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1194,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Num21-Michelangelo_Buonarroti_024-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"442","name":"Journey","old_id":"842"},{"term_id":"544","name":"Struggle","old_id":"944"},{"term_id":"621","name":"Snake","old_id":"1021"}]},{"order":7,"id":"47868","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Hormah \u2013 Then and Now ","post_title":"Hormah \u2013 Then And Now","slug":"hormah-then-and-now","old_id":"47868","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"A legendary battle to the finish","post_main_content_content":"

Our chapter begins with a brief report on an Israelite defeat followed by a victorious retaliation: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

When the Canaanite king of Arad, who dwelt in the Negeb, learned that Israel was coming by the way of Atarim, he engaged Israel in battle and took some of them captive. Then Israel made a vow to the Lord and said, \u2018If You deliver this people into our hand, we will proscribe [va-haharamti<\/em>] their towns\u2019. The Lord heeded Israel\u2019s plea and delivered up the Canaanites and they and their cities were proscribed [va-yaharem<\/em>]. So that place was named Hormah \u00a0(\u201cdestruction\u201d) (Numbers 21:1-3). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

This is the second report of an Israelite battle at Hormah. The first went like this (14:40-44): <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Early next morning they [the Israelites] set out toward the crest of the hill country, saying, \u2018We are prepared to go up to the place that the Lord has spoken of, for we were wrong.\u2019 But Moses said, \u2018Why do you transgress the Lord\u2019s command? This will not succeed... Yet defiantly they marched toward the crest of the hill country, though neither the Lord\u2019s Ark of the Covenant nor Moses stirred from the camp. And the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that hill country came down and dealt them a shattering blow at Hormah\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Unbeknownst to many speakers of Modern Hebrew, these Biblical narratives about Hormah ( \u201cdestruction\u201d) are the basis for an idiomatic expression commonly used in Israel today:\u00a0 'ad hormah<\/em> (literally \u201cuntil Hormah\u201d) means \u201ca fight to the finish\u201d, i.e. to battle until one side is completely \u201cdestroyed\u201d, not only in actual warfare but in any social, political or personal struggle. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Reflecting back on the biblical origins of the current use of this expression suggests a cautionary message relevant from ancient times to our day. In some circumstances it may be better not to \u201cfight to the finish,\u201d but rather to find the path to a reachable \u201cValley of Agreement\u201d (emeq shaveh<\/em>), as did our patriarch Abraham at the beginning of our peoplehood: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u2026the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Agreement (emeq shaveh<\/em>), which is the Valley of the King\u2026And King Melchizedek of Salem\u2026blessed him... Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, \u2018Give me the persons, and take the possessions for yourself\u2019. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, \u2018I swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, I will not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap of what is yours. You shall not say, It is I who made Abram rich\u201d (Genesis 14:17-24).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\u201cAnd from there to the well, which is the well about which God said to Moses, \u2018Gather the people together so that I may give them water.\u2019 \u00a0Then Israel sang this song, \u2018Spring up, O well \u2014 sing to it.'\u201d (Numbers 21:16-17)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The desert heat burns my face,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>My bared shoulders and back,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>My hatless head.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>The dryness \u2014 as if coals from a bonfire char my throat<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Each time I inhale.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>As I walk barefoot atop an oven of desert rock and scorched sand,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>The noonday summer sun<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Blinds my eyes. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/span>Is there water anywhere?<\/span><\/i>
\r\n<\/span><\/i> Or is water just a mirage?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

Till I stumble across a well \u2014<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Moses\u2019 well \u2014<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And dive. <\/span>
\r\n<\/span> The ice-cold water<\/span>
\r\n<\/span> Soothes my skin. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

I plunge deeper; lower;<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>For the well is a subterranean tunnel <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

To a vast underground ocean<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Where I swim <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

Past endless coral reefs blossoming with crimson sea-anemones,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Past schools of porpoises that teach me their language, <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

Past innumerous flocks of blue whales grazing on fields of plankton<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>The way scholars pore over their tomes. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

Somehow I breathe the sea effortlessly,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>My lungs \u2014 \u00a0the gills of mermaids. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

As I descend yet deeper to meadows of turquoise-colored algae,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Herds of sea-horses accompany me,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

Waving back and forth in the undercurrents, in the ocean\u2019s deafness,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>As if in sign-language, revealing their secrets to me <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

Before I swim back,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Before I return.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n

When I emerge from the well \u2014<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Moses\u2019 well \u2014 <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The sun has set;<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>And as the warm, arid air evaporates the water-drops on my skin, <\/span><\/p>\r\n

I raise my eyes to the desert\u2019s night sky<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>To discover, as I gaze in awe, <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Thousands, no \u2014 \u00a0tens of thousands of galaxies<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Are spelling out the letters of my name.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\u201cThey Might Be Giants\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Dan Epstein: Explore giants in Jewish texts.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Numbers 21","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Click to get links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":12,"id":"107201","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Points To Ponder: Numbers 21 ","post_title":"Points To Ponder: Numbers 21","slug":"points-to-ponder-numbers-21","old_id":"107201","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":false,"related_cahpter":"138","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

    \r\n\t
  1. Echoes of the serpent<\/em>. The serpent of the story in the desert will strike again in a few hundred years and another 189 chapters (II Kings 18).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Spot the differences.<\/em> The request to Sihon, to pass through the Emorite country (verses 21-23) is reminiscent of the request to Edom in the last chapter (20:14-21). Precisely because of the similarity, the differences are striking, both in the content of th request, and also in the strategy in the response to the denial.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Spring up, O Well!<\/em> If you close your eyes when reading the Song of the Well (verses 17-18) you can imagine the sound of digging, and the expectation that with the next shovel strike, finally the well will \u201cspring up,\u201d and the groundwater would burst forth.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. The fire of war<\/em>. The ancient picturesque descriptions of war in verses 28-29 describe a \u201chot\u201d war between the kingdom of Sihon and that of Moab - \u201cFor fire went forth from Heshbon, Flame from Sihon\u2019s city.\u201d Not very nice - but at least it wasn\u2019t our war.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"The Daily Summary","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder: Numbers 21","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"21","chapter_main_number":"138","date":"20260310","wall_id":"138"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/47662"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}