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Exodus 16:11 - Divine manna provision revealed.

Exodus 16:11 - שמות 16:11

Hebrew Text

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר׃

English Translation

And the Lord spoke to Moshe, saying,

Transliteration

Vayedaber Adonai el-Moshe lemor.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Introduction to Divine Communication

The verse "וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר" ("And the Lord spoke to Moshe, saying") appears frequently in the Torah, marking the beginning of divine communication. Rashi (Shemot 6:2) notes that this phrase emphasizes the direct and unmediated nature of Hashem's speech to Moshe, distinguishing it from prophecy given to other prophets, which often came through visions or dreams (Bamidbar 12:6-8).

The Significance of "לֵּאמֹר"

The word "לֵּאמֹר" ("saying") is interpreted by the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 28:6) as an instruction for Moshe to convey Hashem's words exactly to Bnei Yisrael, without adding or omitting anything. Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:6) elaborates that this underscores Moshe's unique role as the faithful transmitter of the Torah.

Divine Speech as a Foundational Principle

This verse reflects a core tenet of Jewish belief—the divine origin of the Torah. The Ramban (Introduction to Sefer Shemot) explains that the repetition of this phrase throughout the Torah reinforces that every commandment and narrative stems from Hashem's direct will, not Moshe's independent authority.

  • Rashi: Highlights Moshe's unparalleled prophecy.
  • Midrash: Emphasizes precise transmission of divine words.
  • Rambam: Links this to Moshe's role as the definitive prophet.
  • Ramban: Connects the phrase to the Torah's divine authorship.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean when the verse says 'And the Lord spoke to Moshe, saying'?
A: This phrase is a common introduction in the Torah indicating that Hashem is giving a direct commandment or message to Moshe (Moses) to convey to the Jewish people. Rashi explains that this wording emphasizes the precision with which Moshe transmitted Hashem's words to Bnei Yisrael.
Q: Why does the Torah repeat 'saying' after 'spoke' in this verse?
A: The double language of 'spoke... saying' teaches that Moshe was commanded to repeat Hashem's words exactly to the Jewish people. The Talmud (Yoma 4b) derives from this that a teacher must clearly convey Torah teachings to students until they understand.
Q: How is this verse relevant to us today?
A: This verse reminds us that Torah comes directly from Hashem to Moshe and was faithfully transmitted through the generations. The Rambam in his introduction to Mishneh Torah emphasizes this unbroken chain of transmission as the foundation of our mesorah (tradition).
Q: Why is Moshe referred to by name here instead of as 'Moshe Rabbeinu'?
A: The simple mention of 'Moshe' shows his humility - even as Hashem's chosen prophet, he remained the most humble of men (Numbers 12:3). The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 3:15) notes that the Torah often calls him simply 'Moshe' to teach this lesson.
Q: What can we learn from how Hashem communicated with Moshe?
A: This teaches the importance of clear, direct communication when transmitting Torah. The Sforno explains that Hashem spoke to Moshe 'face to face' (Exodus 33:11) to ensure perfect understanding, setting an example for how we should teach Torah to others.