1)

Why does the Torah need to inform us that Elisheva was Nachshon's sister?

1.

Rashi: To teach us that before marrying a woman, one should investigate 1 her brothers. 2


1

Bava Basra 110a: Since most children turn out to be like their maternal uncles.

2

Gur Aryeh: Otherwise, it would be unnecessary to tell us that she was Nachshon's sister; we could have derived this from Bamidbar 1:7 (when we are told that Nachshon's father's name was also Aminadav).

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

2)

Rashi writes: "From here, we learn that when marrying a woman, one must investigate her brothers." Why is this so?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The nature of male offspring can be attributed to their mother. 1 (Therefore, if one wants to know what his sons will be like, they will usually resemble their mother's brothers - Bava Basra 110a). One cannot ascertain this by investigating the prospective bride herself (or her sisters); because they are women, this will not give the full picture. 2

2.

Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 3, p. 123, to Bava Basra 110a): Though it is true that sons resemble the mother, since the sons are male and the mother female, it is their maternal uncles whom they resemble.


1

Refer to 6:23:1.3:1.

2

Gur Aryeh: Conceptually, a female is comparable to an unfinished vessel, whereas a male is a completed vessel. When conducting a test, one should use a completed vessel. (This alludes to the Gemara, that a woman makes a covenant only with her (first) husband, who makes her into a vessel (Sanhedrin 22b)). Maharal (Chidushei Agados loc. cit., Vol. 3, p. 143) - That is how man and woman can become absolutely one. In Maharal's terminology (see Gevuros Hashem Ch. 56, p. 249), the female is Chomer, and the male is Tzurah; this is what creates the bond between them.) (EK)

3)

Rashi writes: "From here, we learn that when marrying a woman, one must investigate her brothers." Why in fact is the nature of male offspring attributed to their mother?

1.

Gur Aryeh (to Bereishis 35:8): It is the mother that gives the developing fetus its blood, flesh, etc. (see Nidah 31a). Its base physicality comes from the mother, to a greater degree than the father. 1


1

Also refer to Bereishis 46:15:1.2.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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