What are the implications of "Lo me'Rubchem ... Chashak Hashem bachem"?
Rashi #1 and Targum Onkelos: It implies that Hashem does not desire you because you are numerous. 1
Rashi #2 (citing Chulin 89a) and R. Bachye #1 (citing a Midrash): It implies that Hashem desires Yisrael because, even when Hashem bestows upon them greatness, they do not aggrandize themselves 2 (On the contrary, they humble themselves - Chulin, 89a).
Ramban: It implies that, although it would have been appropriate to choose the largest nation to belong to the king 3 - nevertheless Hashem chose Yisrael (the smallest nation). 4
R. Bachye #2: It implies that, even though Yisrael are the largest nation, and it is appropriate to choose the largest nation to belong to the king, 5 that is not why Hashem chose Yisrael.
Seforno: It implies that Hashem did not bestow greatness upon Yisrael, in order to be honored by large numbers. 6
Rashbam and Da'as Zekenim: With reference to "Venashal Goyim Rabim ... " in Pasuk 1, the Torah is saying that it is not because Yisrael are more numerous than the seven nations that Hashem desired Yisrael and will destroy them (the seven nations).
Rashi and R. Bachye: Like Avraham, who declared "ve'Anochi Afar va'Eifer" (Bereishis 18:27), Moshe and Aharon, who said "ve'Nachnu Mah!" (Sh'mos 16:7) - and David, who said "ve'Anochi Tola'as ve'Lo Ish" (Tehilim, 22:7 - as opposed to Nevuchadnetzar, who declared "Adameh la'Elyon", Sancheriv, who announced "Mi be'Chol Elohei ha'Aratzos ... " and Chiram, who boasted "Eil Ani, Moshav Elokim Yashavti" (Yeshayah 14:14 & 36:20 and Yechezkel, 28:2, respectively). See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
Ramban: As the Pasuk writes in Mishlei 14:28 ?be?Rov Am Hadras Melech?.
R. Bachye interprets the Ramban like he explains in answer #4, but the Ramban specifically states that Yisrael are the smallest nation.
R. Bachye: See note 1 on answer #3.
What is the exact meaning of the words "Chashak Hashem bachem"?
Rashi, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means 'Hashem desired you'.
Ramban: It means 'Hashem attached 1 Himself to you with a strong bond'.
Ramban: See Sh'mos 27:10.
What are the implications of the words "Vayivchar bachem"?
Ramban: When someone picks a friend, he will tolerate him under all circumstances.
Ramban: And Yisrael are worthy of being chosen, as they are the most tenacious of all the nations' - Beitzah, 25a - as they stand up to all the tests that face them. See Ramban, DH 've'Ta'am Chashak' citing Midrash Rabah.
What are the implications of the phrase "Ki Atem ha'Me'at mi'Kol ha'Amim"?
Rashi #1: It means literally that Yisrael are the smallest of the nations. 1
Rashi #2 and Targum Yonasan: It impliess that, even when Hashem bestows upon Yisrael greatness, they make themselves small. 2
Rashi #3 (on Bamidbar 26:36): Refer to Bamidbar 26:36:2:1. 3
Rashbam: It implies that (despite the fact that) Yisrael is smaller than the seven nations.
R. Bachye #1: It implies that Hashem would love Yisrael even if they were the smallest of all the nations. 4
R. Bachye #2: Since there is no Dagesh (dot) in the 'Hey', it does not mean that they are the smallest nation, but it introduces a rhetorical question 5 - 'Are you the smallest nation? (You are the biggest nation).
Alshich: Hashem made a Sanhedrin of seventy-one to judge the Dor ha'Felagah (Pirkei d'R. Eliezer 24), and the nations correspond to this. You are the unit (one) in addition to the seventy to complete the count.
Oznayim la'Torah: It implies that Yisrael are smaller than each of the seven nations is latrger than Yisrael, and that consequently, if Hashem was looking for nnmbers, Yisrael would be the last nation that He would choose.
And the word "ki" means 'in spite of the fact' - Refer to 7:6:1:2, whereas "Ki" in Pasuk 8 means 'but'. Refer to 7:7:152:1.
Rashi: Like Avraham, who declared "ve'Anochi Afar va'Eifer" (Bereishis 18:27) and Moshe and Aharon, who said "ve'Nachnu Mah!" (Sh'mos 16:7) - as opposed to Nevuchadnetzar, who declared "Adameh la'Elyon", Sancheriv, who announced "Mi be'Chol Elohei ha'Aratzos ... " (and Chiram, who boasted "Eil Ani, Moshav Elohim Yashavti:"(Yeshayah 14:14, 36:20, Yechezkel, 28:2). See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
R. Bachye rejects the literal explanation - that Yisrael are the smallest nation - seeing as the Torah wrote in Devarim 1:10 ?ve?Hinchem ha?Yom ke?Chochvei ha?Shamayim la?Rov!? Refer to Devarim 1:10:1:2 & 1:10:1:1 & notes.
R. Bachye: Like "ha'Me'at Mikem Ki Hivdil?" and "ha'Me'at Ki He'elisanu", Bamidbar 16:9 & 13, respectively.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that the simple meaning is correct - 'You are the smallest of the nations. But the Torah wrote - in Devarim, 1:10 - "ve'Hinchem ha'Yom ke'Chochvei ha'Shamayim la'Rov"? Also, we find - in Korach Bamidbar, 22:3 - that Mo'av was afraid of Yisrael 'becuse they were numerous'?
Perhaps the simple meaning is that Yisrael are less than all of the other nations combined. The Torah worded this in a way that allows one of the other Drashos (refer to 7:7:151:2-6 - PF).
