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Numbers 11:20 - Month of spoiled cravings?

Numbers 11:20 - במדבר 11:20

Hebrew Text

עַד חֹדֶשׁ יָמִים עַד אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא מֵאַפְּכֶם וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְזָרָא יַעַן כִּי־מְאַסְתֶּם אֶת־יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר בְּקִרְבְּכֶם וַתִּבְכּוּ לְפָנָיו לֵאמֹר לָמָּה זֶּה יָצָאנוּ מִמִּצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome to you: because you have despised the Lord who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why did we come out of Miżrayim?

Transliteration

Ad khodesh yamim ad asher-yetze me'apkhem vehaya lakhem lezara ya'an ki-me'astem et-Adonai asher bekirbekhem vativkhu lefanav lemor lama ze yatzanu mi-Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

עַ֣ד <b>׀</b> חֹ֣דֶשׁ יָמִ֗ים עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא֙ מֵֽאַפְּכֶ֔ם וְהָיָ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם לְזָרָ֑א יַ֗עַן כִּֽי־מְאַסְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם וַתִּבְכּ֤וּ לְפָנָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה יָצָ֥אנוּ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃
עַ֣ד ׀ חֹ֣דֶשׁ יָמִ֗ים עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא֙ מֵֽאַפְּכֶ֔ם וְהָיָ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם לְזָרָ֑א יַ֗עַן כִּֽי־מְאַסְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם וַתִּבְכּ֤וּ לְפָנָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה יָצָ֥אנוּ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 11:20) appears in the narrative of the Israelites' complaints in the wilderness, specifically regarding their dissatisfaction with the manna and their craving for meat. Moshe relays Hashem's response to their ingratitude, warning that they will receive meat in such abundance that it will become repulsive to them.

Key Themes and Interpretations

  • עַד חֹדֶשׁ יָמִים (a whole month): Rashi explains that the phrase "a whole month" refers to the duration of their punishment—they would eat meat continuously for thirty days until it became loathsome. This emphasizes the severity of their sin and the measure-for-measure consequence of their craving.
  • עַד אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא מֵאַפְּכֶם (until it comes out at your nostrils): The Ibn Ezra interprets this as a hyperbolic expression, illustrating how the overindulgence would lead to physical revulsion, as if the meat would be expelled through their nostrils from excessive consumption.
  • יַעַן כִּי־מְאַסְתֶּם אֶת־יְהוָה (because you have despised the Lord): The Ramban explains that their complaint was not merely about food but a rejection of Hashem's providence. By expressing regret for leaving Egypt, they demonstrated a lack of faith in His guidance.

Spiritual Lessons

The Sforno highlights that their weeping (וַתִּבְכּוּ לְפָנָיו) was hypocritical—they pretended to seek divine compassion while actually rebelling against Hashem's will. This teaches that insincere expressions of piety are unacceptable.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma connects this episode to the broader theme of ingratitude in the wilderness. It notes that the manna, a miraculous sustenance, could taste like any food they desired, yet they still complained. This reflects how discontent can arise even when blessings are abundant.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'until it comes out at your nostrils' mean in Numbers 11:20?
A: This vivid phrase describes how the Israelites would become sick of the quail meat they demanded. Rashi explains that the quail would be so abundant that it would literally come out of their noses from overeating, showing how excessive desire leads to disgust (Rashi on Numbers 11:20).
Q: Why were the Israelites punished for wanting meat in Numbers 11:20?
A: The Ramban teaches that the sin wasn't simply wanting meat, but rejecting God's providence after He miraculously sustained them with manna. Their complaint 'Why did we leave Egypt?' showed ingratitude for their redemption, making it a spiritual failing (Ramban on Numbers 11:20).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 11:20 today?
A: The verse teaches the danger of uncontrolled physical desires and complaining. The Talmud (Yoma 75a) derives from this that one should be content with what God provides. The Sages also warn that excessive focus on material pleasures can lead to spiritual rejection, as the verse states 'because you despised the Lord.'