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Numbers 11:18 - Craving meat brings Divine response?

Numbers 11:18 - במדבר 11:18

Hebrew Text

וְאֶל־הָעָם תֹּאמַר הִתְקַדְּשׁוּ לְמָחָר וַאֲכַלְתֶּם בָּשָׂר כִּי בְּכִיתֶם בְּאָזְנֵי יְהוָה לֵאמֹר מִי יַאֲכִלֵנוּ בָּשָׂר כִּי־טוֹב לָנוּ בְּמִצְרָיִם וְנָתַן יְהוָה לָכֶם בָּשָׂר וַאֲכַלְתֶּם׃

English Translation

And say to the people, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you shall eat meat: for you have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us meat to eat? for it was well with us in Miżrayim: therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat.

Transliteration

Ve-el ha-am tomar hitkadshu le-machar va-achaltem basar ki bechitem be-oznei Adonai lemor mi ya-achileinu basar ki-tov lanu be-Mitzrayim ve-natan Adonai lachem basar va-achaltem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶל־הָעָ֨ם תֹּאמַ֜ר הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ לְמָחָר֮ וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֣ם בָּשָׂר֒ כִּ֡י בְּכִיתֶם֩ בְּאׇזְנֵ֨י יְהֹוָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֤י יַאֲכִלֵ֙נוּ֙ בָּשָׂ֔ר כִּי־ט֥וֹב לָ֖נוּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְנָתַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם בָּשָׂ֖ר וַאֲכַלְתֶּֽם׃
וְאֶל־הָעָ֨ם תֹּאמַ֜ר הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ לְמָחָר֮ וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֣ם בָּשָׂר֒ כִּ֡י בְּכִיתֶם֩ בְּאׇזְנֵ֨י יְהֹוָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֤י יַאֲכִלֵ֙נוּ֙ בָּשָׂ֔ר כִּי־ט֥וֹב לָ֖נוּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְנָתַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם בָּשָׂ֖ר וַאֲכַלְתֶּֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 11:18, where the Israelites complain about the lack of meat in the wilderness, expressing nostalgia for their time in Egypt. Hashem responds by instructing Moshe to tell the people to sanctify themselves, for they will receive meat—but as a consequence of their ingratitude.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (11:18) notes that the phrase "הִתְקַדְּשׁוּ" ("sanctify yourselves") implies preparation for a significant event, possibly hinting at impending punishment. He connects this to the later plague that strikes those who craved meat (11:33). Rashi also emphasizes that their complaint—"כִּי־טוֹב לָנוּ בְּמִצְרָיִם" ("for it was well with us in Egypt")—was a grave distortion of reality, as they were enslaved there.

Rambam on Human Nature

Rambam (in Moreh Nevuchim 3:32) discusses how human desire can lead to irrational demands. The Israelites, despite receiving the miraculous mann, fixated on meat—a sign of misplaced priorities. Their request was not out of necessity but uncontrolled craving, which Hashem granted to teach them the dangers of unrestrained desire.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 16) compares the Israelites' weeping for meat to a child rejecting a king's delicacies for common food, illustrating their lack of appreciation for divine providence.
  • Sifrei (Bamidbar 89) interprets "בְּאָזְנֵי יְהוָה" ("in the ears of the Lord") as highlighting the severity of their complaint—they voiced ingratitude directly before Hashem.

Moral Lesson

The verse underscores the dangers of כפיות טובה (ingratitude) and the consequences of indulging physical desires at the expense of spiritual growth. The instruction to sanctify themselves before eating meat serves as a warning: material indulgence without mindfulness leads to downfall.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'sanctify yourselves' mean in Numbers 11:18?
A: In this verse, 'sanctify yourselves' (הִתְקַדְּשׁוּ) means to prepare spiritually for a significant event—in this case, receiving meat from Hashem. Rashi explains that this involved repentance and distancing from improper desires, as the people had complained improperly. Sanctification often includes immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath) or other acts of spiritual readiness.
Q: Why did the Israelites complain about meat in the desert?
A: The Israelites complained because they missed the food they had in Egypt, despite being freed from slavery. Ramban (Nachmanides) teaches that their longing for meat reflected ingratitude and a lack of trust in Hashem, who had already provided manna. Their complaint was not about true hunger but about misplaced desires for physical comforts.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 11:18 about gratitude?
A: This verse teaches the importance of gratitude and trusting in Hashem's provisions. The Midrash (Tanchuma) emphasizes that the Israelites' complaints showed a failure to appreciate the miracles of the Exodus and the manna. Today, we must recognize Hashem's kindness in our daily lives and avoid focusing on what we lack.
Q: Why did Hashem give them meat if they complained wrongly?
A: Hashem granted their request for meat, but it came with consequences (as later verses describe). The Talmud (Yoma 75a) explains that sometimes Hashem gives people what they desire—even if it's not truly good for them—to teach them a lesson. Here, it showed that their craving was misguided and would lead to punishment.
Q: How does this verse relate to spiritual preparation in Judaism?
A: The command to 'sanctify yourselves' highlights a key Jewish principle: preparing spiritually before significant events. Just as the Israelites needed to purify themselves before receiving meat, we too must prepare for mitzvot (commandments) or holy occasions (like Shabbat or holidays) with proper intention and purity, as taught in halacha (Jewish law).