Rashi on TanakhNumbers 33

These are the journeys. Why were these journeys recorded? To make the Omnipresent’s benevolence known. For, although He decreed to move them about and cause them to wander in the wilderness, do not say that they wandered and were moved about from journey to journey all forty years, and had no rest — for there are only forty two journeys here. Subtract fourteen, all of which took place during the first year, before the decree, from their journey from Ra’meses until they reached Rismah, from where the spies were dispatched, as it is said, “after, the people journeyed from Chatzeros, etc. Send, for yourself, men, etc.,” and here it says, “they journeyed from Chatzeros and camped at Rismah,” you learn that it was in the desert of Paran. Exclude, further, from there, eight journeys which took place after Aharon’s death, from Mount Hor to the plains of Moav, during the fortieth year, it is found that throughout the thirty eight years, they took only twenty journeys. This is from R’ Moshe [Hadarshan]’s commentary. R’ Tanchuma expounds the matter differently: This is compared to a king whose son was ill, and he brought him to a distant place for treatment. When they returned, the father began enumerating all the journeys. He said to him, ”Here, we slept; here, we were chilled; here, your head ached, etc.’

Egypt was burying. They were preoccupied with their grief.

And camped in Rismoh. So named after the spies’ slander, as it is said, “what will He (God) give you, and what more will He add for you, O deceitful tongue? Sharpened warrior’s arrows, with smoldering coals.”

By the word [lit. mouth] of Adonoy. This teaches that he died by the Divine kiss.

The Cannanite heard. This teaches you that the death of Aharon was the news he heard that the clouds of glory had departed, and he (the Canaanite) thought that it was permissible to wage war against the Israelites. This is why Scripture repeats it.

At the ruins of Avarim. The word [עִיֵּי] denotes desolation and waste, as in, “. . . into a desolate field,” “they have turned Yerushalayim into desolation.”

From Beis Yeshimos until Aveil Hasheetim. Here it teaches you the measure of the Israelite camp [was] twelve mils, for Rava, the son of Bar Chana, said, “I have seen that place, etc.”

Aveil Hasheetim. The plain of Sheetim was entitled “Aveil.”

When you cross the Yardein, etc. You must drive out, etc. Were they not admonished several times concerning this? But this is what Moshe said to them: “When you cross the Yardein on dry land, you must cross on this condition, and if you do not, the waters will come and inundate you.” We find that Yehoshua spoke to them similarly while they were still in the Yardein.

You must drive out. You shall oust.

Their carved stones. As Targum [Onkelos] renders, בֵּית סִגְדַּתְהוֹן, “their houses of worship,” so named because they would overlay the ground with a marblestone floor on which to prostrate themselves with arms and legs extended, as it is written, “overlaid stones you shall not place, in your land, on which to prostrate yourselves.”

Their cast. As Targum [Onkelos] renders, מַתְּכַתְהוֹן, “their molten.”

Drive out [the inhabitants of] the land. Make it vacant of its inhabitants, and then “you shall dwell in it” — you shall be able to endure there, but if not, you shall be unable to endure there.

To whomever the lottery [system] ordains. This is a shortened passage, [meaning] “whichever ‘plot’ the lot indicates, shall belong to him’.”

According to your paternal tribes. Taking into account those who came out of Egypt. Another interpretation: With twelve border demarcations, following the number of tribes.

Those whom you will leave over. Shall be evil to you.

As spikes in your eyes. As spikes which will gouge your eyes out. Targum [Onkelos] renders “spikes” שִׂיכַּיָא .

And thorns. The linguists construe this as denoting a barrier of thorns, which will enclose you, locking and confining you without exit or entrance.

And they will persecute you. As Targum [Onkelos] renders.