[יען לא האמנתם בי] (במדבר כ יב). וכי לא אמר משה דבר קשה מזה, שנאמר הצאן ובקר ישחט להם (שם יא כב), אף שם אינה אמנה והיא גדולה מזו, ולמה לא גזר עליו הקב"ה מיתה שם, משל למלך שהיה לו אוהב, והיה מגיס בינו לבין המלך בדברים קשים, ולא הקפיד עליו המלך, לימים עמד והגיס בפני הלגיונות, גזר עליו מיתה, אף כך אמר הקב"ה למשה, מה שעשית ביני לבינך [לא הקפדתי], עכשיו כנגד הרבים אי אפשר, שנאמר להקדישני לעיני בני ישראל (שם כ יב).
(Numb. 20:12:) [<BUT THE LORD SAID TO MOSES AND AARON:> BECAUSE YOU DID NOT TRUST IN ME.] Did not Moses say something worse than this?142Tanh., Numb. 6:10; Numb. R. 19:10. It is so stated (in Numb. 11:22): ARE THERE <ENOUGH> FLOCKS AND HERDS TO SLAUGHTER FOR THEM? ARE THERE ENOUGH FISH IN THE SEA TO GATHER FOR THEM?There also trust was lacking, and <that lack of trust> was greater than this one. So why did the Holy One not decree death for him there? <The matter> is comparable to a king who had a friend. Now when in private he displayed arrogance towards the king's son with harsh words, the king did not become angry with him. <When, however,> he arose one day and was arrogant in front of the legions,143Lat.: legiones. he decreed death for him. So also did the Holy One say to Moses: When you acted privately with me, [I did not become angry], but now <that you have acted> in public, it is impossible <to overlook your action>. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 20:12):<BUT THE LORD SAID TO MOSES AND AARON: BECAUSE YOU DID NOT TRUST ME> TO SHOW MY HOLINESS IN THE SIGHT OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, <THEREFORE YOU SHALL NOT LEAD THIS CONGREGATION INTO THE LAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN THEM>.
[יען לא האמנתם בי] (במדבר כ יב). וכי לא אמר משה דבר קשה מזה, שנאמר הצאן ובקר ישחט להם (שם יא כב), אף שם אינה אמנה והיא גדולה מזו, ולמה לא גזר עליו הקב"ה מיתה שם, משל למלך שהיה לו אוהב, והיה מגיס בינו לבין המלך בדברים קשים, ולא הקפיד עליו המלך, לימים עמד והגיס בפני הלגיונות, גזר עליו מיתה, אף כך אמר הקב"ה למשה, מה שעשית ביני לבינך [לא הקפדתי], עכשיו כנגד הרבים אי אפשר, שנאמר להקדישני לעיני בני ישראל (שם כ יב).
(Numb. 20:12:) [<BUT THE LORD SAID TO MOSES AND AARON:> BECAUSE YOU DID NOT TRUST IN ME.] Did not Moses say something worse than this?142Tanh., Numb. 6:10; Numb. R. 19:10. It is so stated (in Numb. 11:22): ARE THERE <ENOUGH> FLOCKS AND HERDS TO SLAUGHTER FOR THEM? ARE THERE ENOUGH FISH IN THE SEA TO GATHER FOR THEM?There also trust was lacking, and <that lack of trust> was greater than this one. So why did the Holy One not decree death for him there? <The matter> is comparable to a king who had a friend. Now when in private he displayed arrogance towards the king's son with harsh words, the king did not become angry with him. <When, however,> he arose one day and was arrogant in front of the legions,143Lat.: legiones. he decreed death for him. So also did the Holy One say to Moses: When you acted privately with me, [I did not become angry], but now <that you have acted> in public, it is impossible <to overlook your action>. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 20:12):<BUT THE LORD SAID TO MOSES AND AARON: BECAUSE YOU DID NOT TRUST ME> TO SHOW MY HOLINESS IN THE SIGHT OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, <THEREFORE YOU SHALL NOT LEAD THIS CONGREGATION INTO THE LAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN THEM>.