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

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1. The timing of Korach's rebellion — Unlike the Ibn Ezra who places the rebellion earlier, the Ramban maintains the chronological order of the Torah, explaining that the rebellion occurred only after the Meraglim (Spies) caused a national shift in mood toward despair.

2. Lashon lekicha as initiative — The term Vayikach ("and he took") indicates that Korach took the initiative and woke up to act, similar to how Avshalom took action in his rebellion.

3. Collective guilt vs. the instigator — While the Eidah (congregation) was technically guilty for being...

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1. Reconnaissance is legitimate — According to the pshat (plain meaning) of the Ramban, sending the meraglim (spies) was a valid military move intended to determine "how" to conquer the land, not "if."

2. Order of greatness — The meraglim are listed in the Torah not by age or tribal order, but according to their individual ma'alah (stature) and level of chochma (wisdom) and kavod (honor).

3. Longevity in Hebron — The mention of Hebron being built before Tzoan reveals the exceptional longevity of its inhabitants, such as the descendants of Arb...

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1. The Chanukah connection — The nechama given to Aaron for not participating in the princes' offerings was a remez to the future Hasmonean dedication, which was a nedava (voluntary act), unlike the obligatory miluim service.

2. Levi apprenticeship years — A Levi begins training at age twenty-five but only receives a specific, permanent appointment (ish ish al avodaso) upon reaching age thirty.

3. Defining "Distant Way" — While some define derech rechoka as being merely outside the azarah, the literal meaning (peshat) and the Amoraim suggest it refers to being...

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1. Individual responsibility in Gershon, Kehos, and Merari — The Ramban explains that the weight-bearing tasks for the Mishkan were not general group assignments, but rather specific, numbered items assigned to each individual to prevent disputes over the difficulty of labor.

2. Sanctifying the camp through shiluach tmei'im — The law of sending out the impure immediately follows the establishment of the Mishkan because the Presence of the Shechinah requires a level of kedushah that is incompatible with tumah.

3. The placement of gezel hager — This law is mentioned here b...

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1. The Mishkan as Sinai — The Ramban teaches that Sefer Bamidbar continues the theme of the Mishkan as a portable Har Sinai, maintaining the Hashraat Hashchina through strict boundaries and warnings.

2. Honoring the Palace — The guarding of the Mikdash by Kohanim and Levi’im is not merely for security but is a ma'ala (exaltation) and kavod (honor), similar to an honor guard for a king's palace.

3. Double-edged Census — The term Se’u et rosh (lift the head) implies a potential for greatness (gedula) if one is worthy...

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1. Shemittah as residency condition — The observance of Shemittah is a fundamental requirement for dwelling in Eretz Yisrael, similar to the laws of arayos (forbidden relationships).

2. Sefichim is Rabbinic — While Rabbi Akiva views the prohibition of sefichim (spontaneous crops) as a Biblical law (d'Oraisa), we rule that it is a Rabbinic decree (d'Rabbanan) to prevent illicit planting.

3. Biur is renunciation — Following the Ramban, the obligation of biur (removal) of Seventh-year produce entails a public declaration of hefker (abandonment) rather than total destruction of the fruit.

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1. Responsibility for children — While a Beis Din is not generally required to stop a minor from eating nevelos, there is a specific prohibition for adults to actively cause a child to sin (lehazhir gedolim al haktanim).

2. Standard of importance — The special restrictions placed upon the Kohanim regarding tumah are not arbitrary burdens but reflections of their status as the "distinguished and honored" among the people.

3. Commandment of virginity — The Kohen Gadol is subject to both a positive commandment (asei) to marry a betulah and a nega...

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1. The Sa'ir La'Azazel secret — Based on the Midrash, the Ramban explains that the goat sent to the desert serves as a "bribe" to the Satan to prevent prosecution of Israel on Yom Kippur, emphasizing that this is a divine decree and not a sacrifice to idols.

2. Prohibition of blood — Consuming dam is forbidden because the blood is the animal's nefesh (soul); eating it can imbue a person with animalistic traits and is fundamentally improper for one living soul to consume another.

3. Holiness of the Land...

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1. *Inclusion of women and children* — The *Ramban* notes that while *mitzvos* were typically taught to the men, *Moshe Rabbeinu* gathered the entire congregation, including women and *taf* (children), because everyone participated in the donations for the *Mishkan*.

2. *Restored relationship* — Following the *Chet Ha’egel*, the original love and closeness (*ahavas kluloisam*) between *Hashem* and *Bnei Yisrael* was restored, leading *Moshe* to realize that the command to build the *Mishkan* remained in effect.

3. *Shabbos and the Mishkan* — The sequence of the *psukim* teaches that although the work...

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1. *Dovid's error explained* — The *Ramban* explains that *Dovid HaMelech* mistakenly counted the people without *shekalim* because the *Torah* does not explicitly state in *Parshas Ki Sisa* that the requirement to give a *kofer nafshos* is a *mitzvah l'doros* (a perpetual obligation).

2. *Lashon HaKodesh's inherent sanctity* — According to the *Ramban*, Hebrew is called *Lashon HaKodesh* because it is the language *HaKadosh Baruch Hu* used to create the world, speak with the *nevi'im*, and name the objects of creation; this contrasts with the *Rambam*, who attributes the name to t...

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1. *Defining Tamid* — While *Rashi* interprets *tamid* in the context of the *Menorah* as "regularly" (like the *Olat Tamid*), the *Ramban* maintains it means "permanently" (24/7), specifically referring to the *Ner Ma'aravi*.

2. *Kehunah status* — The *Torah* lists the sons of *Aharon* specifically to teach that their status as *Kohanim* was a unique appointment, not an automatic inheritance; this explains why *Pinchas* required a later, specific elevation to the *Kehunah*.

3. *Royal vestments* — The *Ramban* identifies the *Bigdei Kehuna* as garments of *malchus* (royalty), comparing terms like *Me’il*, *Ku...