5786/2026
After the opening of the Parashah detailing the procedure for lighting the Menorah, as well as the taking of the Leviim, and the chapter of the Chatzrotrot, the torah immediately relates a story involving Bnei Yisroel in a somewhat cryptic way: “VaYehi Ha’Am KeMitonenim Ra B’Oznei Hashem VaYishma Hashem VaYichar Apo VaTivar Bam Eish Hashem VaTocahl BiKetzeh HaMachaneh,” “And it was when the people were complaining, it was bad in the eyes of Hashem. Hashem heard and His anger burned, and a fire of Hashem blazed against them, and it consumed the edge of the camp.” (BeMidbar 11:1)
Of course, this is naturally a difficult Pasuk to understand - the Torah deliberately begins the perek with a verse that causes the Mefarshim to spill much ink over what exactly happened in this incident.
Some Mefarshim, like Rabbeinu Bechaya, take the negative approach. They say that Bnei Yisroel were simply looking for something to complain about. In his opinion, this ‘upset’ Hashem because they should have been traveling happily towards the promised land.
Others, like Ramban, have a slightly different opinion - as they ventured further and further away from Har Sinai, which was relatively close to civilization, they began developing other complaints resulting from their surroundings - such as “How will we live,” “What will we eat,” “What will we drink,” etc. Both opinions paint a negative picture of Bnai Yisroel as complainers despite their extraordinary provisions from HKBH.
However, the Bechor Shor views this Pasuk differently. In his eyes, Bnai Yisroel were worried about going into Eretz Yisroel to fight the wars, not about their surroundings or a lack of vegetation/livestock to eat.
It may seem similar at first, but the Bechor Shor is meaningfully different from other opinions. Because, while still a complaint, the worry of going to fight many wars against foreign nations - on their home turf - is a more valid one. Bnei Yisroel was not a nation of fighters, nor one of particularly strong wits; they had just barely escaped slavery from Egypt with immense help from Hashem. Undoubtedly, many in a similar position would also fear an attempt to kick out not one, or two, but seven enemy nations who had a strong grip on their land. Thus, the fact that the complaint was such displays something crucial about Bnei Yisroel’s relationship with Hashem. It wasn’t something trivial or illogical - but with all of the good that Hashem had done for them, it was simply unacceptable to tolerate such a complaint. The Jews of that time had simply no right to whine about their situation.
And, despite the fact that we are no longer surrounded by Ananei HaKavod, we can absolutely apply this message to us as well. Today, we are seeing Nisim Geluyim in Eretz Yisroel as well as around the world - our complaints, even if to us they may not seem trivial, are simply unacceptable considering all of the tremendous good that Hashem has done for us. Focusing on that, rather than minor inconveniences in our lives, will both enhance our own lives and show Hashem the gratitude that He undoubtedly deserves.