Komentarz do Wyjścia 17:4

עוד מעט YET A LITTLE means, if I wait but a little more they will stone me.

עוד מעט וסקלוני, “if this continues a little longer they are liable to stone me.” Moses did not mean this literally. What he meant was that the people were so embittered that if they had been able to, they would have stoned him.

If I wait etc. . . Rashi adds, “If I wait,” because otherwise it implies they will surely stone him before long — whether or not he waits [to give them water].

(Exodus 17:4) "and Moses cried out to the L rd": We are hereby apprised of the eminence of Moses. He did not say: Since they are quarreling with me I will not implore mercy for them, but "And Moses cried out to the L rd." "saying: What can I do to this people?" Moses said before the Holy One Blessed be He: L rd of the universe, between You and them I will be killed! And You tell me not to be harsh with them, viz. (Numbers 11:12) "For You say to me: "Bear them in your bosom as a nurse bears a nursling, etc." — when they want to kill me! Here the L rd "lowers" (Himself) and Moses "raises" himself (in protest). And elsewhere the L rd "raises" (Himself) and Moses "lowers" himself, viz. (Exodus 32:10) "And now leave Me and I will annihilate them, etc.", followed by (Ibid. 11) "And Moses prayed before the L rd, etc."