민수기 33:31의 인용 해설

דרך ים סוף BY THE WAY OF THE RED SEA — As soon as Aaron died and this war came upon them they turned back on the way to the Red Sea; this was the way on which they had turned back when there had been enacted against them the decree that they must wander in the wilderness in consequence of their murmuring after having received the report of the spies, as it is said, (Deuteronomy 1:40), “And take your journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea”. Here they went back seven stages, as it is said, (Deuteronomy 10:6), “And the children of Israel journeyed from Beeroth-bene-jaakan to Moserah; there Aaron died”. But did he really die at Moserah; was it not at Mount Hor that he died?” But the explanation is, that there (at Moserah) they again mourned and lamented for him just as though he there lay dead before them. Go and examine the list of the stages (Numbers 33:31—37) and you will find that there are seven stages from Moserah to Mount Hor (Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 18).

ובני ישראל נסעו מבארת בני יעקן מוסרה AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL JOURNEYED FROM BEEROTH OF THE CHILDREN OF JAAKAN TO MOSERA — What has this matter to do with what has been related here? Further: Did they indeed journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera; did they not come from Mosera to Beeroth of the children of Jaakan, as it is said, (Numbers 33:31) “And they journeyed from Moseroth, [and they encamped in Bene Jaakan]”? And further: it states here, “There (at Mosera) did Aaron die”. But did he not die at Mount Hor? Go and count and you will find that there are eight stations from Mosera to Mount Hor! — But really this also is part of the reproof offered by Moses. In effect he said, “This, also, ye did: when Aaron died on Mount Hor at the end of forty years and the clouds of Divine Glory departed, ye feared war with the king of Arad and you appointed a leader that ye might return to Egypt, and ye turned backwards eight stages unto Bene Jaakan and hence to Mosera. There the sons of Levi fought with you, and they slew some of you, and you some of them, until they forced you back on the road along which you had retreated. From there (Mosera) ye returned to Gudgodah, — that is identical with Hor Hagidgod (Numbers 33:32).

And the Children of Israel traveled from Beeroth Benei-Yaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died. Rashi explains: Didn’t Aaron die at Mount Hor, etc.? There are several questions regarding this matter:
First, if the intention is to inform us that they returned backwards from Mount Hor to Moserah, it should have said that they traveled from Mount Hor to Kadesh, etc., until Moserah. Why does it omit all the journeys and mention only that they traveled from Beeroth Benei-Yaakan to Moserah?
Second, why is the term “Beeroth” [wells of] Benei-Yaakan mentioned here, while in Parashat Masei this language of “Beeroth” is not mentioned?
Third, here [Rashi] concludes that they returned backwards eight journeys, while in Parashat Chukat, Rashi explains they returned seven journeys.
Fourth, There Aaron died — Rashi explains that they conducted a eulogy there. Why specifically there in Moserah and not earlier?
Fifth, what is the purpose of stating and Eleazar his son served as priest in his place, as this is not related to the rebuke.
Sixth, From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Yotvata, a land of flowing water. Why is this encampment at Yotvata detailed more than all other encampments, and why are flowing waters mentioned here but not in Parashat Masei?
Seventh, regarding the statement At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi — this separation occurred at the beginning of the 40 [years], so what is its relevance here?
Eighth, regarding the statement and to bless in His name, to this day. To which day is He pointing to say to this day? And were they not set apart from then onwards?
Ninth, Rashi’s explanation that the sons of Levi brought them back — from where did Rashi derive this interpretation? If it is a tradition, we will accept it.
Tenth, Rashi’s explanation that “this teaches you that the death of the righteous is as difficult as the breaking of the Tablets” — but this entire section speaks of the second Tablets, and the phrase which you broke, that verse is not adjacent to Aaron’s death.
Eleventh, Rashi’s explanation that “this day which they said let us appoint a head and return [to Egypt] was as difficult as the day they made the golden calf.” The calf was not mentioned at all, as it does not appear anywhere in this section.