Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ramban · Torah
Ramban on Numbers 33:14/רמב"ן על במדבר ל״ג:י״ד
אוַיַּחֲנוּ בִּרְפִידִם וְלֹא הָיָה שָׁם מַיִם לָעָם לִשְׁתּוֹת – לֹא הִזְכִּיר בְּמָרָה נֵס הַמַּיִם, וְלֹא בְּמִדְבַּר סִין עִנְיַן הַמָּן, אֲבָל בַּעֲבוּר הֱיוֹת עִנְיַן רְפִידִים דָּבָר גָּדוֹל שֶׁנִּסּוּ אֶת ה' וְנִקְרָא הַמָּקוֹם מַסָּה וּמְרִיבָה, וְנִקְדַּשׁ לְעֵינֵיהֶם לְהוֹצִיא לָהֶם מַיִם מִסֶּלַע, וּבָאָה אֲלֵיהֶם שָׁם מִלְחֶמֶת עֲמָלֵק, עַל כֵּן הִזְכִּיר בִּקְצָרָה: ״וְלֹא הָיָה שָׁם מַיִם לָעָם לִשְׁתּוֹת״, כִּי הוּא הַמָּקוֹם הַנִּכָּר וְהַנּוֹדָע בּוֹ:
1PITCHED IN REPHIDIM, AND THERE WAS NO WATER FOR THE PEOPLE TO DRINK. Scripture [here] does not mention the miracle [that occurred] with the water in Marah,10 nor the [daily] wonder of manna [which took place] in the wilderness of Sin.11, Chapter 16. But [it mentioned the giving of water at Rephidim] because this episode at Rephidim was an important event, since they tried G-d [there], and that place was therefore called Massah (Trying) and Meribah (Strife),12, 17:7. wherein He was sanctified in their presence by bringing forth water for them out of the rock,13, Verse 6. and it was there that they were attacked by the Amalekites.14, Verse 8. Therefore He [only] described it here in brief, [saying], and there was no water for the people to drink, since it was the place which was recognized and known by this [fact].