פירוש על יהושע 3:20

And follow it. This journey was different than other journeys. During Moshe’s lifetime, the Pillar of Clouds would head the procession, and show them the way, and the Ark¹The ark is here referred to as the Ark of the Bris or Covenant but it is also referred to in Scripture as the אַרוֹן הָעֵדוּת, the Ark of Testimony (see Chapter 4:16) because of the Two Tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments that were placed in the Ark. would [first begin to] move after two divisions [lit. flags]²The twelve tribes of the Bnei Yisroel were divided into four divisions or units, three tribes to a unit. When they travelled in the wilderness, two divisions of six tribes would depart the camp, to be followed by the Ark: and the other two divisions would then follow the Ark. Thus the Ark was always amidst the Bnei Yisroel. had left, but now the Ark would travel first.

The Kohanim, the Levites. Since they all descended from Levi who was the father of Amram, they [the Kohanim] are called Levites,³While it is true that all Kohanim were Levites, the Levites were not Kohanim, because the Kehunah was confined to the descendants of Aharon. as our Sages explain in Breishis Rabbah, ‘That there are forty eight places where the Kohanim are referred to as Levites.’

But there must be a distance. This was mandated out of respect for Hashem.

And it. [Even though the word וּבֵינָו is read as וּבֵינָיו ] [which usually indicates the plural] nevertheless here, it refers to the Ark. Similarly, ‘Yisroel will rejoice in its Maker.’⁴Tehillim 149:2. In this verse too, the word בִעשָׂיו would seem to indicate a plural, yet it is singular, i.e., its Maker. Another explanation: there were actually two Arks,⁵Accordingly the word וּבֵינָיו correctly indicated a plural, i.e., the two Arks. there Ark of the Divine Presence, and the Ark containing the bones of Yosef, which travelled together.

Two thousand Amos. To permit them to go and to pray before the Ark on Shabbos.⁶Two thousand Amos was the limit permitted for a Jew to walk outside his domain on Shabbos. This is the explanation of Midrash Tanchumah, for Yehoshua knew that eventually they would beseige Yericho on Shabbos.

So that you will know⁷Certainly this cannot be the reason why they were commanded them to keep a distance from the Ark. This refers to the last words of verse 3, “and follow it.”

For you have never travelled this route. You have never travelled in this fashion until now.

And Yehoshua said. This was on the third day, and the thirtieth day of mourning [for Moshe] was on the first of the three days.

הִתְקַדָשׁוּ usually means sanctify yourselves, but here it means prepare yourselves.

For tomorrow when you cross the Jordan.

Wonders. This translation follows that of Targum Yonasan.

And Yehoshua said to the Kohanim. He said this on the next day.

Carry the Ark of the Covenant. Until now it was carried by the Levites, but today it was to be carried by the Kohanim.

When you reach the edge of the waters of the Jordan. When you enter within its edge.

Remain standing in the Jordan. Until all the people cross over to the other side [of the river.]

Move closer. He compressed all of them between the two poles of the Ark. This is one of the places where a small space was able to hold⁸This was obviously a Divine miracle. a large amount [of people.]

With this you will know. By virtue of actually seeing that all of you are compressed here.

The covenant of the Master of all the earth. The covenant of the Holy One, blessed is He, Who is the Master of all the earth. Do not wonder about the letter ה of the word הַבְּרִית⁹It should have been written בְּרִית אָדוֹן, without the ה. for there are many Scriptual words that are so constructed, such as: ‘הַמִסְגְּרוֹת הַמְכוֹנוֹת, the borders of the foundation.’¹⁰II Malachim 16:17. It should have been written מִסְגְרוֹת הַמְכוֹנוֹת without the ה'. הָעֵמֶק הַפְּגָרִים, the valley of the corpses.¹¹Yirmeyahu 31:39. It should have been written עֵמֶק הַפְגָרִים without the ה.

Will cross over before You. It will go before you to enter into the Jordan.

Take for yourselves twelve men. Prepare them to be available to fulfil that which I will command them when you finally cross the Jordan.

The waters that descend from above. Coming down from the heights which is the way of all flowing rivers.

And will stand in one massive mound. As the water flows down to the place where it will be cut off, it will be unable to flow further downstream, but will be gathered and piled up, and grow higher, layer upon layer.

Mound. Similar to: ‘He gathers like a mound,’¹²Tehillim 33:7. ‘a mound of harvest.’¹³Yeshayahu 17:11. These are expressions of height, and so did Menachem connect them.¹⁴Menachem was an authority on Grammar often quoted by Rashi.

Its banks. This is an expression of a high edge.

During the entire harvest time. The days of Nissan coincide with the harvest.¹⁵The crossing of the Jordan took place during the month of Nissan. Metsudas Dovid says this increase of the flood level of the Jordan naturally increased the magnitude of the miracle of its waters being cut off.

A great distance from the place they stood. There the waters were cut off.

From Odom. [Adom] was the name of the city.

Descended. Those waters that had descended from above that had previously flowed downstream.

Were completely cut off. They continued flowing on their course¹⁶This refers to those waters that had flowed toward the Salt Sea before the cut off of the upper waters. as do all the streams that flow into the sea, which ended their course.

And the Kohanim remained standing. They remained standing at the edge of the Jordan.

In the midst of the Jordan. So long as they remained standing, the upper waters did not descend below, and during this time all the people were crossing on dry land.

Firmly They were placed firmly, exactly opposite each other.