Beha'alot'cha: Chapter 22

The Nuns

Synopsis

Rabbi Elazar talks about the letter Nun that faces backwards in two places in the quoted verses. He says that when the Ark traveled the Shechinah traveled along and did not leave Yisrael; and just as She kept Her face turned back to the children of Yisrael the Nun that traveled with them turned back to them. Rabbi Shimon says that after the Ark came to rest and the people complained they caused Malchut to turn her back on them.