Moshe is Trustworthy
Parsha Pages | June 16, 2024
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Moshe is Trustworthy

Parsha Pages | June 27, 2025

במדבר פרק יב, ז לֹא-כֵן עַבְדִּי משֶׁה בְכָל-בֵיתִּי נֶאֱמָן הוּא:

In all My house, he (Moshe) is “trustworthy.” What does NE'EMON mean?

Ibn Ezra
Moshe may enter My domain, just as a friend visits at any time he wishes, and Moshe may speak regarding any matter he needs.

Chizkuni
Moshe has seen more than any other prophet, and yet keeps many matters to himself, as the term "V'NE'EMAN ruach y'cha'seh dovor" (Mishlei 11:13)

Ramban
Moshe has been ENTRUSTED with the knowledge of My Holy Name which encompasses the traits of mercy and kindness even to sinners. These are HaShem's dearest traits. One keeps his dearest possessions in his home. "B'chol beisi," with all the dearest traits that I have, "NE'EMON hu," Moshe is entrusted.

Rosh
Moshe is trusted by all of My household. (This refers to the bnei Yisroel as per Targum Onkeles and Targum Yonoson ben Uziel.) Since he views the prophecies in clear terms he is trusted to not misinterpret the message.

Rivosh
When one doesn't totally trust his messenger, he has messages sent through him conveyed in an encoded manner, so that the messenger cannot misuse the information. Moshe is trusted by HaShem and the bnei Yisroel, therefore the prophetic messages are given to him in a completely clear manner.

Moshav Zekeinim
Moshe has remained faithful to his wife and has not divorced her, even though when he married her he was a fugitive who had a death sentence hanging over him and now he was a king (see Sanhedrin 110a). "Bayis" refers to one's wife (see Yoma 2a). This interpretation gives us a new insight into the blessing that is common to give to a newly-wed couple, "Tizku livnos bayis NE'EMON b'Yisroel."

Haksav V’hakabolah
Other prophets only receive prophecy when they are either asleep or awake but in a trance or some other unusual physical phenomenon where their soul is not fully connected to their body. Their body, not being totally purified, is a hindrance to receiving a Divine message. Not so Moshe. He receives prophecy while in a normal state, since his physicality is in total consonance with the spiritual. Translate NE'EMON as in Yeshayohu 22:23, "Yo'seid b'mokom NE'EMON," a peg securely placed. Likewise, Moshe's neshomoh was securely connected to his body when he received a prophecy, unlike any other prophet.

S’fas Emes
Moshe was ready to receive prophecy at any moment. Read NE'EMON as reliable at any time.

R’ Chaim from Brisk
Moshe not only received prophecy from HaShem, but also was able to ask his own questions to HaShem.

HaAmek Dovar
Moshe knew how to make use of the "Sheim Ham'forosh" with which HaShem created the heavens and the earth, and yet did not take advantage of this ability. He is NE'EMON to not use this power even though he is able to do so.

R’ Yitzchok from Brisk
When Moshe says a prophecy no other prophet can contradict him. His prophecy reigns supreme (Rambam Yesodei haTorah 8:3). Other prophets can be contradicted by another prophet.

Shem MiShmuel
Moshe is devoted and dedicated to properly executing HaShem's bidding.

Medrosh Tanchuma
“Ish emunos rav brochos” (Mishlei 28,20), Moshe who was entrusted with the building materials for the Mishkan. Thus, for all matters of My house, the Mishkan, Moshe is trustworthy.

HaEmek HaNetziv
The Rambam (Y'sodei haTorah 7:6) says that Moshe is not only capable of communicating with HaShem without preparation or having a quasi, out-of-body prophetic experience, but also is guaranteed that upon his request HaShem will always respond. This is derived from the words "Imdu v'esh'm'oh mah y'tza'veh HaShem lochem" (9:8). Moshe is NE'EMON, RELIABLE, to always receive a response from HaShem.

Zohar
Ne’emon means faithful and also faith. This signifies that Moshe was a faithful shepherd, who was constantly involved with sustaining and nurturing Jews in matters of faith, so that this faith was not merely of a general nature, but became deeply rooted within each person. Chabad Chassidus emphasizes that the shepherd of Israel (Moshe or the leader in any subsequent generation) adds vitality and an abundance of light to the faith implanted within every Jew.

במדבר פרק יב, ז לֹא-כֵן עַבְדִּי משֶׁה בְכָל-בֵיתִּי נֶאֱמָן הוּא:

In all My house, he (Moshe) is “trustworthy.” What does NE'EMON mean?

Ibn Ezra
Moshe may enter My domain, just as a friend visits at any time he wishes, and Moshe may speak regarding any matter he needs.

Chizkuni
Moshe has seen more than any other prophet, and yet keeps many matters to himself, as the term "V'NE'EMAN ruach y'cha'seh dovor" (Mishlei 11:13)

Ramban
Moshe has been ENTRUSTED with the knowledge of My Holy Name which encompasses the traits of mercy and kindness even to sinners. These are HaShem's dearest traits. One keeps his dearest possessions in his home. "B'chol beisi," with all the dearest traits that I have, "NE'EMON hu," Moshe is entrusted.

Rosh
Moshe is trusted by all of My household. (This refers to the bnei Yisroel as per Targum Onkeles and Targum Yonoson ben Uziel.) Since he views the prophecies in clear terms he is trusted to not misinterpret the message.

Rivosh
When one doesn't totally trust his messenger, he has messages sent through him conveyed in an encoded manner, so that the messenger cannot misuse the information. Moshe is trusted by HaShem and the bnei Yisroel, therefore the prophetic messages are given to him in a completely clear manner.

Moshav Zekeinim
Moshe has remained faithful to his wife and has not divorced her, even though when he married her he was a fugitive who had a death sentence hanging over him and now he was a king (see Sanhedrin 110a). "Bayis" refers to one's wife (see Yoma 2a). This interpretation gives us a new insight into the blessing that is common to give to a newly-wed couple, "Tizku livnos bayis NE'EMON b'Yisroel."

Haksav V’hakabolah
Other prophets only receive prophecy when they are either asleep or awake but in a trance or some other unusual physical phenomenon where their soul is not fully connected to their body. Their body, not being totally purified, is a hindrance to receiving a Divine message. Not so Moshe. He receives prophecy while in a normal state, since his physicality is in total consonance with the spiritual. Translate NE'EMON as in Yeshayohu 22:23, "Yo'seid b'mokom NE'EMON," a peg securely placed. Likewise, Moshe's neshomoh was securely connected to his body when he received a prophecy, unlike any other prophet.

S’fas Emes
Moshe was ready to receive prophecy at any moment. Read NE'EMON as reliable at any time.

R’ Chaim from Brisk
Moshe not only received prophecy from HaShem, but also was able to ask his own questions to HaShem.

HaAmek Dovar
Moshe knew how to make use of the "Sheim Ham'forosh" with which HaShem created the heavens and the earth, and yet did not take advantage of this ability. He is NE'EMON to not use this power even though he is able to do so.

R’ Yitzchok from Brisk
When Moshe says a prophecy no other prophet can contradict him. His prophecy reigns supreme (Rambam Yesodei haTorah 8:3). Other prophets can be contradicted by another prophet.

Shem MiShmuel
Moshe is devoted and dedicated to properly executing HaShem's bidding.

Medrosh Tanchuma
“Ish emunos rav brochos” (Mishlei 28,20), Moshe who was entrusted with the building materials for the Mishkan. Thus, for all matters of My house, the Mishkan, Moshe is trustworthy.

HaEmek HaNetziv
The Rambam (Y'sodei haTorah 7:6) says that Moshe is not only capable of communicating with HaShem without preparation or having a quasi, out-of-body prophetic experience, but also is guaranteed that upon his request HaShem will always respond. This is derived from the words "Imdu v'esh'm'oh mah y'tza'veh HaShem lochem" (9:8). Moshe is NE'EMON, RELIABLE, to always receive a response from HaShem.

Zohar
Ne’emon means faithful and also faith. This signifies that Moshe was a faithful shepherd, who was constantly involved with sustaining and nurturing Jews in matters of faith, so that this faith was not merely of a general nature, but became deeply rooted within each person. Chabad Chassidus emphasizes that the shepherd of Israel (Moshe or the leader in any subsequent generation) adds vitality and an abundance of light to the faith implanted within every Jew.

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