Sinning with Quail/2

Sinning with Quail

Exegetical Approaches

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Gluttony

The Israelites' gluttony warrants an intense punishment from Hashem

Sources:RambanBemidbar 11:4About R. Moshe b. Nachman, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 16:4Shemot 16:13Bemidbar 11:5Bemidbar 11:8Bemidbar 11:9Bemidbar 11:10Bemidbar 11:21About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor,  R. BachyaBemidbar 11:5About R. Bachya b. Asher, R. Yosef ibn KaspiBemidbar 11:7About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, Ralbag #1Bemidbar 11:4Bemidbar Toalot 11About R. Levi b. Gershom,

Theological Issues

Burden of Commandments

Desire for food and meat are actually masks for a want of freedom from restrictive commandments.

Sources:Sifre, Rashi, Daat ZekeinimBemidbar 11:13About Daat Zekeinim, Maharsha.חידושי אגדות יומא עה .חידושי אגדות חולין יז

Testing Hashem's Abilities

Complaints about food and meat challenge Hashem's ability to provide food for the hungry nation

Sources:Sifre, Rashi, Malbim, Seforno, Zedekiah Ben R. Abraham, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah, Ralbag #2, Rambam

Burden of Commandments

Testing Hashem's Abilities

Educational Expectations

Lack of Appreciation

While the request itself was not problematic, Hashem punished the Israelites for their lack of appreciation for their freedom from Egypt.

Sources:RashbamBemidbar 11:20About R. Shemuel b. Meir,

Educational Development

After experiencing the Manna and receiving the Torah at Sinai, the nation was meant to recognize Hashem's ability to provide. 

Sources:AbarbanelBemidbar 11:16About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel