Be’halosicha
The passuk states about Eldad and Meidad, “ויתנבאו ולא יספו” which Onkelos translates as, “and they were prophesizing, and they did not stop (ולא פסקין).” Why were Eldad and Meidad different from the other 70 elders? And what did that they continue prophesizing? The Nesina LaGer explains, Onkelos follows the opinion of Rebi Shimon who says, when Hashem said to Moshe “gather for Me 70 men from the elders of Yisrael,” Eldad and Meidad remained inside the camp and did not come. They said, “We are not fit for that greatness.” Hashem said, “Since you made yourselves small, I will add greatness upon your greatness. All the other prophets prophesized at that time, and stopped afterward; however, Eldad and Meidad prophesized at that time, and did not stop. Some say they prophesized Moshe would die and Yehoshua would bring them into Eretz Yisrael, while others say they prophesized about the slav or about Gog and Magog.
The Maharsha explains that the pessukim differentiate between the prophecy of Eldad and Meidad and that of the rest of the elders. By all the elders, it states “ויאצל מו הרוח אשר עליו ויתן על שבעים איש הזקנים,” which Onkelos translates as “and He increased from the spirit that was on him (Moshe), and He placed upon the 70 elders.” They all received prophecy through Moshe, temporarily, in order to help him deal with the nation’s needs. However, by Eldad and Meidad it states, “ויהי כנוח עליהם הרוח ויתנבאו ולא יספו, and it was when the spirit rested upon them and they prophesized and they did not stop.” Similarly, the following passuk states, “שם האחד אלדד ושם השני מידד ותנח עליהם הרוח, one name was Eldad and the other one’s name was Meidad, and the spirit rested upon them.” It does not state “רוחו עליהם, and his (Moshe’s) spirit rested upon them,” rather “עליהם הרוח, and the spirit rested upon them.” The spirit reflects a direct prophecy from Hashem which caused them to continuously prophesize, like Moshe who received prophecy directly from Hashem. Whereas the elders who received prophecy through Moshe, only prophesized temporarily.
The passuk states a young lad ran and told Moshe that they were prophesizing in the camp. Yehoshua then said “אדני משה כלאם,” which Onkelos translates as “put them in prison.” Rashi explains that they were prophesizing Moshe would die and Yehoshua will bring Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael, and therefore Yehoshua said to put them in prison as a punishment. The Ramban says according to the other opinions that they prophesized about the slav or Gog and Magog, Yehoshua claimed they are saying over things in front of their Rebbi. The Maharsha explains, Yehoshua was zealous against Eldad and Meidad for making themselves equal to Moshe and prophesize on their own continuously. At 1st they prophesized temporarily as all the elders, as it states, “ויתנבאו במחנה, and they prophesized in the camp.” However, after the others stopped, they continued to prophesize. There was no need for Yehoshua to be zealous about the other prophets since they only prophesized temporarily. The D’rashas Ha’Ran adds, Yehoshua claimed that they specifically remained outside the camp in order to prophesize independently, from Hashem, not through Moshe. Therefore, Yehoshua said to Moshe, it is improper that they are continuing to prophesize.
Moshe responded, “המקנא אתה לי ומי יתן כל עם ה’ נביאים כי יתן ה’ את־רוחו עליהם” which Onkelos translates as “Is it my zealousness that you are zealous for? I would favor that the entire nation of Hashem would have been prophets, that Hashem shall give the spirit of His prophecy upon them.” The Maharsha explains: Moshe said, “I would have no jealousy that everyone would be like me, to prophesize directly through Hashem, as Eldad and Meidad were prophesizing continuously. This is hinted at the end of the passuk which states, “כי יתן ה’ את רוחו עליהם, that Hashem shall place His spirit upon them.” It does not state את רוחי, my (Moshe’s) spirit, rather רוחו, His (Hashem’s) spirit, which would make everyone on the same level, honorable as himself. He hoped that the entire nation should be like him, to be able to have a direct prophecy from Hashem, with such closeness.
May we learn the midah of humility from Eldad and Meidad who made themselves small and from Moshe who wanted everyone to be on his level of prophecy.
