Why did Yisrael backtrack towards the Yam-Suf?
Rashi: Following the battle with the Cana'ani, they became afraid and moved back seven stops 1 from Hor ha'Har to Moseirah. 2
Targum Yonasan on Pasuk 1 writes 'six stops'. See Na'ar Yonasan.
Refer to 26:13:2:1*, and see Sifsei Chachamim.
"Vatiktzar Nefesh ha'Am ba'Derech"? Why did they become disgruntled?
Rashi: They found the traveling overwhelming, because it was a repeat of what happened after the episode with the Meraglim, 1 and they were afraid that it would end up in the same way, and they would be forced to remain in the desert. "ba'Darech" means (not 'as they traveled' but) 'due to the traveling'. 2
Rashi: See Devarim, 1:40
Rashi: Because, wherever one finds this kind of complaint, the Torah always inserts the essence of the people's complaint - See for example, Zecharyah, 11:8 and Iyov, 10:16.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that they were afraid that they may remain in the desert. Why was that so bad, seeing as they had Manna to eat?
Da'as Zekenim: This is why in Pasuk 5 the Torah cites their complaint about the Manna.
Why would they be content to remain in the desert- with or without Manna, rather than to enter Eretz Yisrael?
