Deuteronómio 2:16 Midrash: Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Ein Yaakov, Sifra & Midrash Tehillim

R. Akiva says (Exodus 12:1) "saying": Go and say to them that it is in their merit that He speaks to me (Moses). And thus do we find, that in all the thirty-eight years that He was angry with Israel (i.e., from the episode of the spies and on), He did not speak with him, viz. (Devarim 2:16-17) And it was, when all the men of war (those from the age of twenty) had finished dying from the midst of the people, that the L–rd spoke to me, saying."

Piska: Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said, "There were no joyous days for Israel like the Fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur." Now, regarding Yom Kippur, it is understandable because it is a day of forgiveness and atonement, the day on which the second Tablets were given to the Israelites. But what is the significance of the Fifteenth of Av? Rav Yehudah said in the name of Shmuel: "It is the day on which the tribes were allowed to intermarry with one another." What is the scriptural source for this? It is stated, "This is the thing which the Lord has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad" (Numbers 36:6), indicating that this matter was applicable only during that particular generation. Rabah bar Bar Chanah said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, "It is the day on which the tribe of Benjamin was permitted to rejoin the congregation," as it is stated, "And the people had sworn in Mizpah, saying, 'None of us shall give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin as a wife'" (Judges 21:1). What is the derivation? Rav said, "From our own tribe" and not from other tribes. Rabba bar bar Chananah said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, "It is the day on which the deaths of the desert generation ceased," as the Master said, "As long as the deaths of the desert generation had not yet concluded, there was no divine communication with Moses," as it is stated, "And it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, that the Lord spoke to me, saying" (Deuteronomy 2:16-17). "To me" implies that there was divine communication with me. Ulla said: The meaning of this verse, which discusses the day on which Hosea son of Elah abolished the paths so that the people of Israel would not ascend to Jerusalem on the pilgrimage festivals, is that the date was required to be stated to both the fathers and the sons because there are mitzvot that were commanded to the fathers and not to the sons. For example, the mitzvot of challah, terumah, ma'aser, and all the mitzvot related to the Land of Israel that they were unable to fulfill in the desert. Therefore, the fathers needed to inform their sons about the laws of impurity of the sanctuary and its holy items. Rav Matnah said: The day on which those who died in the incident of Ba'al Peor were buried. And Rav Matnah also said: On that day, they established a decree in Yavneh, "Hatov Ve'hameitiv" (the Blessing of Goodness), "Hatov" to indicate that they did not emit an unpleasant odor, and "Ve'hameitiv" to indicate that they were given a proper burial. Rabba and Rav Yosef both said: The day on which they ceased to cut wood for the Temple service. As it was taught: Rabbi Eliezer the Great says, "From the Fifteenth of Av onward, the strength of the sun begins to wane, and they no longer cut wood for the altar, because the wood does not dry properly." Rav Menashya said: And it is called "The day the scroll withholds." From this point onward, it would say "It shall add" for each additional day, and when it does not add, it is called "It withholds." Rav Yosef taught: What is the meaning of "It withholds"? Rav Yosef said: They buried his mother on that day. Piska. The Sages taught: Regarding the daughters of Israel going out and selecting husbands, the Rabbis taught: The daughter of a king can marry a descendant of the High Priest, the daughter of the High Priest can marry a descendant of a deputy High Priest, the daughter of a deputy High Priest can marry a descendant of a military officer, and the daughter of a military officer can marry a common priest. And all of Israel can inquire about marrying each other in order not to cause embarrassment to someone who has no lineage. Piska. All vessels require immersion. Rabbi Zerika said that Rabbi Elazar said: Even folded and placed in a box. Piska. The daughters of Israel can go out and dance in the vineyards. It was taught: One who has no wife should turn there. Piska. And what do they say? "Young man, lift up your eyes to beauty, for a woman has no other attribute but beauty." The women of distinguished lineage say: "Set your eyes on the family, for a woman is meant for bearing children." The wealthy women say: "Set your eyes on wealthy husbands. [Among them are] merchants and the poor [women] say: "Take your acquisitions for the sake of Heaven, as long as you adorn us with gold."

13) ("… and He spoke to him from the tent of meeting) lemor" ("saying") — "Say it" to them in humble terms (so that they accept it gladly), viz.: "For your sake does He speak with me." For we find that all of the thirty-eight years that Israel were out of grace (because of the sin of the spies) He did not speak with Moses, viz. (Devarim 2:16-17): "And it was, when all the men of war (those from the age of twenty) had finished dying from amidst the people that the L–rd spoke to me." Another nuance: "saying" — Go out and say it to them and return word to Me (if they accept it). And whence is it derived that Moses went out and spoke with them? From (Shemoth 34:34): "… and he would go forth and speak to the children of Israel what he had been commanded." And whence is it derived that He returned word to the Almighty? From (Shemoth 19:8): "And Moses returned the words of the people to the L–rd." Elazar b. Achvai says: I might think He spoke to him for his own needs; it is, therefore, written: "to say" — to Israel. He spoke to him for Israel's sake, and not for his own.