What are "Rosh Tzurim" and "Gevahos" referring to?
Rashi: "Rosh Tzurim" and "Gevahos" refer to their beginnings - the Avos and the Imahos respectively who form the powerful base from which Yisrael descended. 1
Ramban and Rashbam: 'Because I see them from the mountain-tops and from the top of the hill (that they are alone and other nations are not reckoned together with them - Rashbam). 2
R. Bachye #1: They are synonymous with ?Shefi? (the high places) in Pasuk 3. 3
R. Bachye #2: "Tzurim" refers to the Avos - ?Rosh Tzurim?, to Avraham Avinu - and "Gevahos", to the tribes, 4 5 - whose merits are stronger than rocks.
R. Bachye #3: "Tzurim" refers to the seven planets, and ?Gava?os? to the twelve Mazalos (constalations). 6
Ba?al ha?Turim #2: ?ki me?Rosh? has the same Gematriya as ?al Har ha?Moriya? (presumably with reference to the merit of the Akeidah of Yitzchak).
Targum Yonasan: 'I see that this nation is led on the merit of the righteous Avos, who are compared to mountains, and of the Imahos who are compared to hills. 7
What are the connotations of "Hein Am Levadad Yishkon"?
Rashi (citing Targum Onkelos): It means that they are a nation who on the merit of their ancestors, will inherit the World to Come - alone.
Rashi #2: It means that, when Yisrael rejoice, no other nation rejoices together with them. 1
Ramban: It means that, unlike the other nations, who often combined to form one camp, Yisrael, with one Torah and one set of laws, were one nation who dwelt alone iunder the name of Ya?akov and Yisrael.
R. Bachye #1: It means that Yisrael are unique among the nations of the world 2 - inasmuch as their G-d is Unique and that the gods of the nations cannot compare to Him. 3 4
R. Bachye #2: It means that, when Yisrael are redeemed, they will dwell alone and will not mix with the other nations - because they will not swap ?the Glory of their Faith for any other faith.
Rashbam: Refer to 23:9:1:2.
Seforno and Targum Yonasan: It means that they alone will inherit the world to come 5 (because they do not live by the lifestyle of the nations - Targum Yonasan).
Rashi: See Devarim 32:12.
R. Bachye: As Moshe hinted when he wrote in Devarim 33:29 ?Ashrecha Yisrael Mi Kamocha!?
R. Bachye: As Moshe wrote in Devarim 33:26 ?Ein ka?Keil Yesshrun!?
See R. Bachye who elaborates.
Seforno: As the Torah writes in Devarim 32:12 "Hashem Badad Yanchenu".
What is the meaning of "u'va'Goyim Lo Yischashav"?
Rashi #1 (citing Targum Onkelos): It means that they will not be destroyed together with the other nations. 1
Rashi #2: It means that when the other nations have it good, Yisrael share in the benefits without detracting from their reward.
Targum Yonasan: It means 'because they do not follow the customs of the nations of the world.
Sanhedrin, 39b: Even Bil'am, who was a gentile, prophesied that Yisrael would not mix with the nations among whom they were destined to be exiled. 2
Rashi: Who will ultimately perish, as the Pasuk states in Yirmiyah, 30:11.
See Torah Temimah, citing Sanhedrin, ibid., citing R' Avina's answer to a Tzedoki.
