Midrash sobre Números 21:1

ROSH HASHANAH (Fol. 2b) "When Aaron died, Sichon was still living (Fol. 3), as it is written (Num. 21, 1) And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, heard. What did he hear? He heard that Aaron had died, and that the "clouds" of glory had departed; and he thought that this was a sign from Heaven that he was permitted to fight Israel. Thus the passage becomes clear. (Ib. 20, 29) And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead. Concerning this passage R. Abahu remarked: "Do not read it Vayir'u (and when all saw), but read it Vayira'u (and they became frightened); as Resh Lakish said; for Resh Lakish said: 'The work Ki has four meanings: if, perhaps (lest), but, because.'" But how can we make any such comparison, since in the one place it speaks of the Canaanites, and in the other of Sichon? We are taught in a Baraitha that Sichon, Arad and the Canaanites are identical; he was named Sichon because he was untamed, as a foal in the desert; he was named Canaan because of his kingdom; but his real name was Arad. Others, however, say: "He was named Arad because he was like a wild ass in the desert; he was named Canaan because of his kingdom; but his real name was Sichon."

(1) ROSH HASHANAH (Fol. 2b) "When Aaron died, Sichon was still living (Fol. 3), as it is written (Num. 21, 1) And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, heard. What did he hear? He heard that Aaron had died, and that the "clouds" of glory had departed; and he thought that this was a sign from Heaven that he was permitted to fight Israel. Thus the passage becomes clear. (Ib. 20, 29) And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead. Concerning this passage R. Abahu remarked: "Do not read it Vayir'u (and when all saw), but read it Vayira'u (and they became frightened); as Resh Lakish said; for Resh Lakish said: 'The work Ki has four meanings: if, perhaps (lest), but, because.'" But how can we make any such comparison, since in the one place it speaks of the Canaanites, and in the other of Sichon? We are taught in a Baraitha that Sichon, Arad and the Canaanites are identical; he was named Sichon because he was untamed, as a foal in the desert; he was named Canaan because of his kingdom; but his real name was Arad. Others, however, say: "He was named Arad because he was like a wild ass in the desert; he was named Canaan because of his kingdom; but his real name was Sichon."

R. Jochanan said again: "Rain may descend even for the sake of one meritorious man; as it is written (Deut. 28, 12) The Lord will open unto 'thee' his good treasure, the heaven, to give rain, etc., but general prosperity comes only for the sake of the public at large; as it is written (Ex. 16, 4) "I will rain for you bread from heaven." An objection was raised: R. Jose, the son of R. Juda, said: "Three good leaders were given to Israel, and they are Moses, Aaron and Miriam: and three good gifts were given through them, namely: the well of water, the pillar and the Manna. The well of water [which Israel had along with them in the desert] was given them for the sake of Miriam; the cloud of glory [which led them by day was given them] for Aaron's sake, and the Manna [was given them] for Moses' sake. When Miriam died, the well vanished; as it is said (Num. 21, 1) Miriam died there, and was buried there; and immediately afterwards it is written: And there was no water for the Congregation. The well was then restored to Israel through the prayers of Moses and Aaron." When Aaron died, the pillar (cloud) of glory left; (as explained above page 141); the well and the pillar (cloud) of glory were restored to them for the sake of Moses; but when Moses died, everything vanished; as it is said (Zech. 11, 8) And I removed the three shepherds in one month." Did then Moses, Aaron and Miriam die in the same month? Behold Moses died in Adar, Aaron in Ab, and Miriam in Nissan? We infer from that passage that the three gifts which were given to Israel disappeared in the same month in which Moses died. Hence we can prove that support is given for the sake of even one man? Nay, with Moses it is different: for his merits were so great that he equalled the entire congregation."