Parshat Massei and the FAA Flight Ban
Parshat Massei and the FAA Flight Ban

Numbers 33:

Verse 55. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the Land from before you, then those whom you leave over will be as spikes in your eyes and thorns in your sides, andthey will harass you in the land in which you settle.

Rashi's Commentary:

those whom you leave over: They will be a source of misfortune for you.

as spikes in your eyes: Heb. לְשִׂכִּים, pins that will gouge out your eyes. The Targum [Onkelos renders], יְתֵדוֹת (Exod. 38:20), pins or spikes [as] סִכַּיָּא -

and thorns: Heb. וְלִצְנִינִם. The commentators interpret this in the sense of a hedge of thorns which will surround you, fencing you in and confining you so that none can leave or enter. -

and they will harass you: Heb. וְצָרְרוּ, as the Targum [Onkelos] renders [וִיעִיקוּן, and they will harass you, cause you distress].