איש על העדה – זה יהושע, שנא' (תהלים עח) לחם אבירים אכל איש, ולמה פירש הכתוב? שלא להטיל מחלוקת בין בניו ובין אחיו:
(Bamidbar 27:16) "a man over the congregation": This is Joshua, as it is written (Psalms 78:25) "the bread of the mighty (i.e., manna) did a man eat." And why did Scripture not specify (that it was Joshua)? So as not to stir up controversy (over the appointment of Joshua) among his sons and the sons of his brother (Aaron, i.e., Elazar and Ithamar.)"
ויאמר ה' אל משה קח לך את יהושע בן נון – את שבלבך. קח לך מה שבדוק לך, ועליך מפורש (משלי כז) נוצר תאנה יאכל פריה. איש אשר רוח בו – שיכול להלוך כנגד רוחות של כל אחד ואחד:
(Bamidbar 27:18) "And the L-rd said to Moses: Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun": ("for yourself") what is in your heart. Take for yourself him (Joshua), who you know to be worthy (of this high station), as per (Mishlei 27:18) "the watcher of the fig-tree will eat its fruit, and the keeper (Joshua) of his master (Moses) will be honored." (Bamidbar, Ibid.) "a man who has spirit in him": one who can accommodate himself to the spirit of each individual. "and place your hand upon him":
Questions
1.Why is he called Yehoshua prior to Numbers 13:16 ?
2.Why didn't Moshe Rabbenu pray for the other meraglim?
3.Where did the yud come from?Why?
ומה נבואה נתנבאו אמרו משה מת יהושע מכניס את ישראל לארץ
Apropos Eldad and Medad being prophets, the Gemara asks: And what prophecy did they prophesy? They said: Moses will die, and Joshua will bring the Jewish people into Eretz Yisrael.