Rashi on TanakhNumbers 9

In the first month. The chapter at the beginning of this book was not said until Iyar. You learn, that there is no order of precedence or succession in the Torah. But why did He not begin with this [chapter]? Because it is to Yisroel’s discredit, that throughout the forty years that Yisroel was in the wilderness they offered no other Pesach-offering but this.

In its proper time. Even on Shabbos; even during ritual uncleanliness.

According to all its statutes. These are the commandments pertaining to its body [i.e., the animal itself] a lamb; unblemished; male; a yearling.

And according to all its laws. These are commandments having a bearing on the animal but originate from another place (i.e., outside the animal) For example, the seven days of eating matzoh and of eliminating chometz. ([An alternate text:] The commandments pertaining to its body — a lamb; unblemished; male; a yearling. Having a bearing on the animal; roasted over fire, its head with its knees and its inner organs. Outside its body — matzoh and eliminating chometz.)

Moshe spoke, etc. What does the Torah teach? Does it not say, “Moshe spoke of God’s holidays”? Evidently, when he heard the parshah of the holidays at Sinai, he told it to them, and then he reviewed it and exhorted them at the time it was to be performed.

Before Moshe and before Aharon. When both were seated in the study hall, they approached them and asked. But it is untenable to say [that they asked them] one after the other, for if Moshe did not know, how would Aharon [know]?

Why should we be excluded. He (Moshe) said to them: “The sacred offerings cannot be brought during ritual impurity.” They said to him: “[But] let the blood be sprinkled on us by ritually pure kohanim and the flesh eaten by those who are pure.” He said to them: “Wait, while I listen,” like a disciple assured of hearing from his master’s mouth. Fortunate is the mortal thus assured, for whenever he wished, he could speak with the Divine Presence. Now this chapter should appropriately have been said through Moshe, as is all the rest of the Torah. But these [people] gained the merit of having it said through them, because Providence brings about merit through the meritorious.

Or on a distant road. There is a dot over this, as if to say: Not that it was definitely distant, but that he was outside the threshold of the [Temple] courtyard thoughout the time for slaughtering [the Pesach]. [At] the second Pesach, matzoh and chometz may be with him at home; it is not considered ‘yom tov’; and chometz is not prohibited except while he eats [the korbon].

If a proselyte dwells among you, and brings the Pesach-offering. Perhaps everyone who converts must immediately bring the Pesach-offering? The Torah therefore teaches, “One statute, etc . . .” Rather, this is its meaning: “If a proselyte dwells among you, and he comes to bring the Pesach-offering with his fellows, according to the statutes of the Pesach-offering and its laws shall he do.”

The Mishkon [which served] as the Tent of Testimony. The Mishkon which was made to be a tent for the tablets of testimony.

There was over the Mishkon. Similar to, “would constantly be” over the Mishkon. Similarly, all the usages in the parshah.

The Cloud was lifted. As Targum [Onkelos] renders, אִסְתַּלָּקוּת, (“was lifted”). Similarly, “the Cloud was lifted.” But it would be improper to write “According to when the Cloud rose,” “the Cloud rose,” because the connotation is not rising, but flowering and ascending, as in, “behold, a tiny cloud, like a man’s palm, rises from the sea.”

On the word of Adonoy did they travel. We learned in [the Beraysa describing] the work of the Mishkon; When the Israelites were departing the Cloud column would fold, and extend over the tribe of Yehudah like a type of beam. They sounded the tekiah, teruah, and tekiah. But it did not proceed until Moshe intoned, “Rise, Adonoy . . .” Then the banner of the camp of Yehudah departed. This is in Sifri.

On the word of Adonoy did they camp. When the Israelites were camping, the Cloud column would mushroom upward and extend over the tribe of Yehudah like a type of protective covering. It did not separate until Moshe said, “Come to rest, Adonoy, among the myriads and thousands of Israel.” Thus you say, “on the order of Adonoy, through Moshe.”

Sometimes (lit. there is). As if to say, “sometimes.”

A number of days. “a few days.”

Or a year. (lit. days). A year, as in “[יָמִים], a year shall be its redemption [period].”