1)

Why does the Pasuk refer to the snakes as "ha'Nechashim ha'Serafim"?

1.

Rashi: Because they were venomous snakes 1 (that leave a burning sensation when they bite).

2.

Refer to 21:8:151:1 & 2 and notes.


1

See Sifsei Chachamim.

2)

Why did Hashem punish them specifically with a plague of snakes?

1.

Rashi: Let the snake, which was punished for speaking Lashon ha'Ra (about Hashem), 1 come and kill those who spoke Lashon ha'Ra (about Hashem)! 2 Let the snake, whose food all tastes like earth 3 come and punish those ingrates, whose one food can change to taste like any kind of food - yet they complain!


1

See Ba?al ha?Turim. Perhaps this explains why the Torah writes ?ha?Nechshim ha?Serafim? ? with a ?Hey?.

2

As opposeed to Miriam, who spoke Lashon ha'Ra about a human being and who was smitten with Tzara'as. See Oznayim la'Torah.

3

Targum Yonasan: And it does not complain!

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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