Person Connected to the Parsha Yehoshua

PERSON CONNECTED TO THE PARSHA
YEHOSHUA

ויהס כלב את-העם אל-משה ויאמר עלה נעלה וירשנו אתה כי-יכול נוכל לה (במדבר יג,ל)

Sotah 35a: The verse says, “And Keilev quieted (ויהס) the people toward Moshe.” Rabbah said this means that he enticed them (הסיתן) with words regarding Moshe. For he saw that when Yehoshua began to speak in opposition to the Spies, the people said, “Shall this one of the severed head (ראש קטיעה) speak before us?” In this way they silenced Yehoshua.

What is meant by ראש קטיעה (severed head)?

• Rashi: Since Yehoshua did not have children to inherit his portion in the Eretz Yisrael, they called him by this inappropriate name.
• Tiferes Tziyon: Being childless Yehoshua had no real stake in the matter; thus he had no right to speak.
• Ahavas Eisan: They contended that Yehoshua was speaking out of personal bias, for perhaps he hoped that through the merit of living in Eretz Yisrael HaShem would grant him children.
• Otzros Yosef: The word “Rosh” is connected to Eretz Yisrael according to the Gemara (Sanhendrin 38a) which states Adam haRishon was created from the earth: his head from Eretz Yisrael and his body from Bavel, and his extremities from the rest of the world. Thus, they called Yehoshua “severed head” since he had no children to inherit land in Eretz Yisrael.
• Hagahos Yavetz questions Rashi’s explanation since the Gemara (Megilah 14b) states that Yehoshua had a daughter, and thus she would inherit his portion in Eretz Yisrael. Minchah Chareivah suggests that perhaps his daughter was not born till after they entered Eretz Yisrael; or that the law that a daughter inherits where there are no sons, had not yet been received.
• Aruch: identifies the “severed head” as the letter yud that Moshe added in front Yehosha’s name. The yud is a shortened letter. Thus, the head (first letter of his name) was severed (shortened).
• Iyun Yaacov: The Aruch can agree with Rashi. When the Yud was attached to the name of Sarai it prevented her from conceiving (after its removal Sarah was able to conceive). When the yud was transferred Moshe added protection to Yehoshua but also contributed to the inability of Yehoshua to father a child.
• Meromei Sadeh: Head refers to a leader. Yehoshua was the minor (severed) leader in comparison to Moshe. They accused Yehoshua of opposing the Spies since he wished to hasten the entrance to Eretz Yisrael when he would become the leader.
• Ben Yehodiyah: Yehoshua was head of the tribe of Ephraim. Members of that tribe left Egypt early attempting to go to Eretz Yisrael and force the redemption. They were killed in the desert. Thus, Yehoshua became head of a severed (partial) tribe that were suspect about Eretz Yisrael.
• Torah Temimah: The spies wished to antagonize Yehoshua and shame him in front of Moshe. They made reference to the fact that the ascension of Yehoshua (only one kingship could exist) would cause the death of Moshe, the current leader (head). Thus, since at this time Yehoshua was attempting to assert himself the Spies mocked him into silence that he was attempting to cause a premature death to Moshe, thus causing a severance of the head.
• Yad haChaim: He cites a Medrash that Yehoshua (or the father of Yehoshua) was separated from his family at a young age and was brought up in the house of Paroh. He became a soldier in the army of Paroh. Then, while enforcing the law of the land, cut off the head of his own father. He later did Teshuvah and returned to the Jewish people. However, the Spies silenced Yehoshua by referring to his negative background from his pre-Teshuvah days. (Some are doubtful about the authenticity of this Medrash)