What were the sticks a sign of?
Rashi: They were a sign that Hashem had chosen Aharon as Kohen Gadol, and they would never again complain about the Kehunah. 1
Ramban #1: They were a sign that the tribe of Levi had been chosen over and above all the other tribes. 2
Ramban #2: They were a sign that the tribe of Levi had been chosen over and above the Bechoros. 3
Rashbam (20:8): To remind Yisrael of their rebellious nature. 4
What are the connotations of the phrase "u'Sechal Telunosam"?
Rashi: It means 'Let their complaints cease ... '. 1
Seforno: It means that the sign 2 of the sticks that are held as a safekeeping will put a stop to their complaints once and for all.
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan
See Sifsei Chachamim. Refer to 17:25:151:1*.
"u'Sechal", which is feminine singular, refers to either "Mishmeres" or "Os", both of which are feminine singular.
Rashi writes that "Telunosam" is singular, even if there are many complaints. What forced him to say so?
Moshav Zekenim: "U'Sechal" is singular. If Telunosam was plural, it should have said "u'Sechilenah Telonosam" (like Bereishis 41:53). 1
Presumably, Rashi's explanation is based on the fact that the word "Telonosam" is written without a 'Vav' after the 'Nun'
