1)

What are "Rosh Tzurim" and "Gevahos" referring to?

1.

Rashi: "Rosh Tzurim" and "Gevahos" refer to their beginnings - the Avos and the Imahos 1 who form the powerful base from which Yisrael descended.

2.

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

3.

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. 3


1

Lev Eliyahu (Bereishis p.101): K'lal Yisrael is above nature ? "Hein Am Levadad Yishkon u'va'Goyim Lo Yischashav." Sarah did not have a womb! See also answer #3.

2

Refer to 23:8:2:2. Rashbam: This is why Hashem has not been angry with them

3

See Ba'al ha'Turim.

2)

What are the connotations of "Hein Am Levadad Yishkon"?

1.

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.

2.

Rashi #2: It means that, when Yisrael rejoice, no other nation rejoices together with them. 1

3.

Ramban: It means that they alone are as numerous as the dust of the earth, which nobody can count; neither can was Bil'am able to count the four camps of Yisrael. 2

4.

Rashbam: Refer to 23:9:1:2.

5.

Seforno and Targum Yonasan: It means that they alone will inherit the world to come 3 (because they do not live by the lifestyle of the nations ? Targum Yonasan).


1

Rashi: See Devarim 32:12.

2

Ramban: He was prophesying that Yisrael stood to increase and not to decrease (See Ramban).

3

Seforno: As the Torah writes in Devarim 32:12 ?Hashem Badad Yanchenu?.

3)

What is the meaning of "u'va'Goyim Lo Yischashav"?

1.

Rashi #1 (citing Targum Onkelos): It means that they will not be destroyed together with the other nations. 1

2.

Rashi #2: It means that when the other nations have it good, Yisrael share in the benefits without detracting from their reward.

3.

Targum Yonasan: It means 'because they do not follow the customs of the nations of the world.

4.

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


1

Rashi: Who will ultimately perish, as the Pasuk states in Yirmiyah, 30:11.

2

See Torah Temimah, citing Sanhedrin, ibid., citing R? Avina?s answer to a Tzedoki.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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